U.S. Coast Guard sends 8 Cubans back

June 9, 2000
Web posted at: 6:51 PM EDT (2251 GMT)

MIAMI (CNN) -- Eight Cubans who earlier this week tried to keep U.S. Coast Guard crews at bay by threatening to set themselves ablaze and eat rat poison were returned to Cuba Friday, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard officials came upon the Cubans Monday aboard a boat about 60 nautical miles south of Key West, evidently trying to reach the United States. They refused to accept life jackets and told the Coast Guard they would rather die than be stopped.

Coast Guard officials launched a 26-foot motor surfboat from the cutter Chincoteague in an attempt to board the Cubans' boat Monday evening when it entered U.S. waters.

"One migrant swung a hose at the motor surfboat crew while others brandished oars, striking Coast Guard boat crew members," the Coast Guard said.

Officials used pepper spray to disorient the Cubans.

One of the Cubans lit a fire in the Cubans' boat; another swallowed gasoline and pills, the Coast Guard said. That person was given an antidote; the pills were later determined to have been vitamins, not rat poison. All eight Cubans were treated for exposure to pepper spray.

"We remain concerned over the increased incidence of migrant smuggling and the increased aggressive and violent nature of migrants," said Capt. Douglas Rudolph, commander of Coast Guard Group Key West. "The bottom line is that aggression, violence or resistance by migrants does not increase their chances of reaching the United States. It only creates the strong risk that someone will get hurt."

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