Cuba: Information about the events which occurred in Cojimar between April and July 1993
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CUB16945.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Cuba: Information about the events which occurred in Cojimar between April and July 1993, 1 March 1994, CUB16945.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac0010.html [accessed 16 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to several newspaper articles, late on 1 July 1993 Cuban frontier guards in Cojimar fired at a US-registered speedboat, the Midnight Express, killing three Cubans who were trying to flee to the United States (AP 3 July 1993; Los Angeles Times 7 July 1993; Reuters 6 July 1993; The Washington Post 5 July 1993). These sources reported that a fourth man, an American, was wounded and then captured (ibid.). It was also reported that the incident caused a mini-riot when Cojimar residents threw rocks at the Cuban police (Los Angeles Times 7 July 1993; The Washington Post 5 July 1993).
Country Reports for 1993 also reports the incident of 1 July 1993 and further indicates that the border guards opened fire on 15 unarmed Cubans, of whom three were killed and eight were injured (1994, 413).
Tele Rebelde and Cuba Vision Networks indicate that another crewman involved in the incident was located on 13 July 1993 (14 July 1993).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
The Associated Press (AP). 3 July 1993. AM Cycle. "Report: Cubans Intercept U.S. Boat; Three Killed." (NEXIS)
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994. United State Department of State. Washington, DC : United States Government Printing Office.
Los Angeles Times. 7 July 1993. Mike Clary. "Smuggling of Cubans Draws Spotlight." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 6 July 1993. BC Cycle. Pascal Fletcher. "Cuba Foils Third Bid in a Week on Human Smuggling." (NEXIS)
Tele Rebelde and Cuba Vision Networks [Havana, in Spanish]. 14 July 1993. "CDR Captures Fugitive Midnight Express Crewman." (FBIS-LAT-93-141 26 July 1993, pp. 15-16)
The Washington Post. 5 July 1993. William Booth. "Cubans Capture 2 Speedboats Waiting for Refugees." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 3 July 1993. AM Cycle. "Report: Cubans Intercept U.S. Boat; Three Killed." (NEXIS)
Los Angeles Times. 7 July 1993. Mike Clary. "Smuggling of Cubans Draws Spotlight." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 6 July 1993. BC Cycle. Pascal Fletcher. "Cuba Foils Third Bid in a Week on Human Smuggling." (NEXIS)
Tele Rebelde and Cuba Vision Networks [Havana, in Spanish]. 14 July 1993. "CDR Captures Fugitive Midnight Express Crewman." (FBIS-LAT-93-141 26 July 1993, pp. 15-16)
The Washington Post. 5 July 1993. William Booth. "Cubans Capture 2 Speedboats Waiting for Refugees." (NEXIS)
