A half dozen women went to the Bahamian embassy in Havana on Wednesday hoping to deliver a list of more than 100 Cubans who have not been heard from since leaving the island this year.
Some are believed to have been lost when rickety boats sank, but families think many of the missing are being detained by Bahamian authorities.
Another group of members of at least two WhatsApp groups involved in the effort said they went to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urge an investigation by Cuba and the Bahamas into the fate of the missing people.
Photo: AP
The women at the Bahamian embassy declined to comment to reporters, saying they are just desperate relatives whose only goal is to learn about loved ones.
Cuba is going through a migration surge amid an economic crisis resulting from effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and of US sanctions. Shortages of basic goods, long lines and inflation were frequent during this year and last.
There is no official figure for those missing after leaving Cuba. The list compiled by families participating in the WhatsApp groups and shown to reporters contains 135 names.
It is unknown if the list was able to be delivered to Bahamian authorities.
The effort by the families coincided with an official visit by Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis, who was received by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Tuesday night. The agenda for Davis’ visit was not released.
About 6,180 Cubans attempting to reach the US by sea were intercepted during the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, US Coast Guard data showed.
The data has no specific information on deaths at sea, although 22 migrants were found dead in this fiscal year.
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