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Mass Cuban emigration
1994 Cuban rafter crisis
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Date
| 15 April ? 31 October 1994 (5 months, 2 weeks and 2 days)
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Participants
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Outcome
| Around 35,000 Cubans arrive in the United States
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The
1994 Cuban rafter crisis
which is also known as the
1994 Cuban raft exodus
or the
Balsero crisis
was the emigration of more than 35,069 Cubans to the United States via makeshift rafts.
[1]
The exodus occurred over five weeks following rioting in Cuba;
Fidel Castro
announced in response that anyone who wished to leave the country could do so without any hindrance.
[1]
Fearing a major exodus, the
Clinton administration
would mandate that all rafters captured at sea be detained at the
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
.
[2]
History
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Background
[
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After the dissolution of the
Soviet Union
and the beginning of the
Special Period
in Cuba, the United States Coast Guard noticed an increase in
rafters
from Cuba attempting to flee to the United States. In 1991 there were 2,203 intercepted, and 3,656 intercepted in 1993.
[3]
Exodus and detention
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In the summer of 1994, several Cubans began breaking into consulates and the homes of ambassadors as well as hijacking boats in hopes of leaving the country. After the
Maleconazo
riots,
Fidel Castro
announced that any Cubans who wished to leave the island could. Around 5,000 rafters had left earlier in the year but after the announcement around 33,000 rafters left the island. U.S. President
Bill Clinton
would announce that any rafters intercepted at sea would be detained at
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
. Around 200,000 rafters would be detained at the base.
[3]
The Cubans held at the base were designated to live in a
tent city
. Many at the Naval base were concerned they would be sent back to Cuba instead of being granted permission to enter the United States.
[4]
A legal battle began over the status of the Cuban refugees and the Haitian refugees who accompanied them at the Guantanamo Naval Base.
[5]
Many Cuban detainees would try to become productive while waiting idle and uncertain of their futures. Some detainees constructed makeshift gyms, art galleries, newspapers, radio station, and held poetry readings.
[6]
On May 2, 1995, the Clinton administration announced that most detainees would be processed and allowed to immigrate.
[7]
Policy change
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In response to the crisis
Bill Clinton
enacted the
Wet feet, dry feet policy
where only Cuban rafters who made it to U.S. soil would be allowed to remain. The U.S. would also approve a minimum of 20,000 immigration visas a year for Cubans.
[7]
See also
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References
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