Cubans Can Leave Cayman

Acting Governor James Ryan

Thursday, July 22, 2004

According to Acting Governor James Ryan, Cubans arriving in the Cayman Islands are allowed to continue their journey elsewhere, provided that they do so in a timely way.

Mr Ryan made the statement in a press release issued this week through Government Information Services (GIS).

The comments were made as a result of an article published in the Washington Post and other overseas newspapers in which Cuban refugees claimed they paid bribes to gain their release from detention here in the Cayman Islands and then continue on their journey to Honduras. 

“Cuban migrants departing the Cayman Islands, including those featured in a recent article alleging bribery, left the Islands in accordance with official policy,” Mr Ryan said. 

Mr Ryan also indicated that Cubans not wishing or able to continue on their journey to another jurisdiction would be repatriated “in keeping with long-standing local policy.”

The Washington Post indicated that the Cubans allegedly were held in detention for 28 days before American relatives paid bribes for their release. 

The Cubans also claimed that the relatives paid $10,000 to “smugglers” to take them to Honduras. 

The smugglers reportedly made the eight refugees swim for one-half hour to the Honduran shore.

Mr Ryan said that Cubans awaiting repatriation would be housed in secure accommodation at one of the local detention facilities, and if space were not available, that other suitable secure accommodations would be arranged.

“Given the frequency of arrivals and departures of the sort with which we are faced in relation to the Cuban migrants, we are exercising continued vigilance to ensure that we safeguard the utmost propriety,” Mr Ryan said. 

The Acting Governor also said that he would have the recent bribe allegations looked into.

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