U.S. federal agents detained 64 Haitian migrants on Thursday after smugglers abandoned them on Mona Island, an uninhabited landmass west of Puerto Rico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported.
Park rangers first discovered the group and alerted authorities. The migrants included 30 men, 28 women, and six minors, according to CBP officials.
This incident marks the third time in recent weeks that Haitian migrants have been left stranded on Mona Island, which lies in treacherous waters between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Two weeks ago, authorities rescued 31 migrants from the island, and last Sunday, an additional 14 were discovered.
“These dangerous smuggling operations put vulnerable migrants at great risk,” said a CBP spokesperson, who requested anonymity to discuss ongoing operations. “We’re seeing an alarming trend of abandonment on Mona Island.”
The recurring incidents highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where gang violence has exacerbated poverty, increased hunger, and left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years.
Experts point to the challenging conditions in Haiti as the primary driver of this migration. “People are fleeing desperate circumstances,” said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a migration specialist at the University of Puerto Rico. “The journey is perilous, but many see it as their only option.”
