WP: A Risky Route To Freedom (Cubans fleeing to US via Honduras)

[kskiska]

Far more Cubans attempt the 90-mile trip to Florida than the risky 500-mile voyage to Honduras. But because most rafters get caught by Cuban authorities or the U.S. Coast Guard in the heavily patrolled waters off Florida, an increasing number desperate to flee the Cuba's miserable economic conditions are pointing their rafts toward Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere. Romero said at least 100 Cubans came to Honduran shores last year, more than twice the number as the year before. As the numbers keep increasing, he said, Honduras is recruiting local families to take them in. "Hondurans identify with them and want to help them whenever they can," Romero said.

Rafters interviewed in Honduras said word had spread that this country is a safer bet than Cuba's other neighbors, including Belize, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, which routinely return the refugees to their homeland.

(snip)

Rafters said going to Honduras makes more sense than taking a chance with the United States' so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy under which Cubans who make it to U.S. soil are free to seek political asylum, but those caught offshore are returned to Cuba. Sometimes Cubans win the race against the U.S. Coast Guard, as did the wife and two daughters of New York Yankees pitcher Jose Contreras, who reached an island off Florida last month after a three-hour chase. But, more often, they do not: The Coast Guard said it had caught and returned about 2,100 Cubans since the beginning of last year after finding them on rafts, rickety boats and even riding a floating 1951 Chevrolet pickup.

Once they reach Honduras, their relatives in Miami often send them money. Some try to find legal ways into the United States, but many set off through Guatemala and Mexico to attempt to cross the border illegally, they said.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53106-2004Jul15.html