Cuba Says Hijacked Boat Headed Toward U.S.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003

(1:00 AM ET) (05:00 GMT)

By Lucia Newman

CNN Havana Bureau Chief

The Cuban government's statement came hours after it announced the attempted hijacking of another boat, this one Monday in Pinar del Rio province. Citing a 17-year-old survivor, the government said three would-be hijackers died after a falling-out among them resulted in gunfire. The 17-year-old told police that there was a fight aboard the boat and one of the gunmen tried to kill him, but shot and wounded his 10-year-old brother by mistake.

HAVANA, Cuba -- CNN
Would-be Cuban immigrants are believed to be responsible for hijacking a boat belonging to a government geographic company and are heading for the United States, according to a statement from the Cuban government.

The U.S. State Department is monitoring the situation, and according to one official, any hijacker reaching U.S. territory "will be prosecuted to the full extent of the U.S. legal system."

The boat, belonging to GeoCuba, was hijacked at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday from Boca de Nuevitas in Camaguey province, according to Cuban authorities.

The vessel may have come ashore in the Bahamas, according to officials there.

The Cuban coast guard immediately notified U.S. officials after the hijacking, the Cuban government said.

The coast guard followed the vessel but did not try to board it in open seas because it was too dangerous, it said. The crew of the Cuban coast guard ship said seven men could be seen on the deck of the boat and about 20 people were inside.
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Cuba's government blames a U.S. law, the Cuban Adjustment Act, for a recent increase in hijack attempts by Cubans attempting to flee the communist-ruled island. The law allows most Cubans who reach U.S. territory to stay, and Havana says it encourages its citizens to migrate illegally to the United States.

It is entirely the fault of the United States of America that Cubans are fleeing their homeland. That Fidel is one funny hombre.

Dan