US catches 500 Haitians at sea
2004-02-27 17:41
Miami - United States coast guard boats have intercepted almost 500 Haitians in two days who have sought to flee the stricken Caribbean nation, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
Most of the growing wave seeking to escape deadly strife in the country have been found on boats in the Windward Passage between Haiti and Cuba, said the coast guard's Carleen Drummond.
The US authorities have stepped up their presence in the waters around Haiti in recent days because of fears that thousands of Haitians may try to reach the Florida coast.
President George W Bush warned on Wednesday that any Haitians tempted to make the risky passage across the Straits of Florida would be sent back.
A freighter carrying 21 Haitians apparently seeking asylum in the United States was detained off the Florida coast on Wednesday.
Federal agents were questioning the Haitians and the seven crew on the freighter, the Margot, according to the coast guard's Luis Diaz.
The Margot is still at sea and Diaz said "the investigation is following its course".