Miami: A small group of Cuban Americans launched a motorboat from Miami early Friday, planning to approach Cuba in a support for people who had difficulty on the island.
Five ships left Miami’s Bayside Marina before 8 am they planned to refuel at Key West before heading to the Florida Strait, said Jose Porieles, who helped organize efforts.
He said they would live in international waters, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) off the coast of Havana.
“We also want to draw attention to the United States government that they have to do something,” Porieles said.
“We feel identified with what happens in protests in Cuba, we can be the people there.” Cuba considers the boat provocation.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the illegal fleet and urged the US government to stop the ship “to avoid incidents that have no best interests.” The US Coast Guard has warned of illegal to ship to leave US water with the intention of entering the Cuban territorial waters.
However, for those who intend to approach Cuban waters, the agency is only advised to do so while also providing security reminders for those who will ignore the suggestion.
The group was not armed, said Porieles.
And most of them are not activists, but Cuban-American entrepreneurs who know each other from the South Florida boating community and share the desire to see Cuba for free.
The seafarers plan to arrive at the closest point to Cuba by 5 P.M.
Friday, before returning to Miami, arrived home on Saturday midday.
The trip was originally planned for Monday but was postponed until Friday.
Ramon Saul Sanchez, the leader of the Nonprofit Group Movimiento Democracia who launched several flotillas in the past, was in Bayside to see them.
He advised them not to use flares to attract the attention of the Cuban government, and not closer to 15 miles from the beach.