RBDF Commodore Expecting Migrant Spike

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – More than 1800 illegal migrants have been apprehended in Bahamian waters in the first three months of the year, and according to Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Commodore Dr Raymond King, the force is bracing for another influx of refugees from both Cuba and Haiti in the coming weeks.

Jasmin Brown has the breakdown.

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The RBDF commodore telling reporters on the sidelines of an HMBS Flamingo memorial service, their intelligence points to a steady increase in the number of immigrants prepared to make the perilous journey.

He went on to explain that the political, social and economic conditions in Haiti and Cuba, coupled with a spike in violence in Haiti and an impending migrant policy shift in the United States are all contributing to increase in illegal migration.

King says since the year began, more than 500 migrants have been intercepted in Bahamian waters each month.

King says The Bahamas continues to be a transit point for migrants as 98 percent of vessels apprehended in the last three months were making their way to the US.