27 HAITIAN MIGRANTS RESCUED NEAR PUERTO RICO

June 26, 2022 | By Colin O. Jarrett |

Twenty-seven Haitian migrants were discovered by the US Coast Guard on Wednesday from the rocky cliffs of an uninhabited island that lies between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The 2-day rescue operation began on June 7 after the Coast Guard said it detected an illegal smuggling boat near Puerto Rico’s Monito Island.

Officials said they arrested 3 illegal smugglers and rescued nine of 27 Haitians who jumped into the water upon seeing the Coast Guard.

The agency said dangerous conditions prevented it from rescuing the remaining Haitians adding that it left food, water and other supplies for them until it returned the next day to rescue the remaining 18 Haitians.