National

Cuban Detainees Light Fire at Detention Center

A group of Cuban nationals said to be anxious to be sent home lit a fire at the Detention Center yesterday.

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2021

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A group of Cuban nationals said to be anxious to be sent home lit a fire at the Detention Center yesterday. Officials say no one was injured in the incident, but Immigration Minister Keith Bell admits that acts of protest at the facility are nothing new.

Berthony McDermott reports.

A group of Cuban nationals set a pile of trash on fire at the Carmichael Road Detention Center Tuesday, prompting officials to take swift action.

Immigration Minister Keith Bell says the detainees got agitated – something he says is not uncommon.

Bell says no one was injured in the incident.

Our News understands the group used a light fixture to generate heat and start the fire.

This isn’t the first time a group of Cuban detainees has used fire as an act of protest at the Carmichael Road facility.

Back in 2014, 13 Cuban nationals attempted to burn down a dormitory at the detention center, however; the matter was contained before any serious damage could be done. They were taken to prison following that incident.

Meanwhile, the minister explains that repatriating Cuban nationals can be challenging.
Officers at the detention center acted quickly to extinguish the fire
Bell says the detainees were separated.

He stressed that the goal now is to repatriate them as quickly as possible.