1994 Cuban rafter crisis
| Part of the Cuban exile | |
 Housing for refugees at Guantanamo Bay | |
| Date | 15 April - 31 October 1994 (5 months, 2 weeks and 2 days) |
|---|---|
| Participants | Government of Cuba
Government of the United States Balseros |
| Outcome | Around 125,000 Cubans arrive in the United States |
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 35,000 Cubans to the United States via makeshift rafts. The exodus would occur over five weeks after rioting in Cuba, Fidel Castro announced in response that anyone who wished to leave the country could.[1]
History
Background
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the Special Period in Cuba the United States Coast Guard noticed an uptick in rafters from Cuba attempting to flee to the United States. In 1991 there were 2,203 intercepted, and 3,656 intercepted in 1993.[2]
Disorder and exodus
In the summer of 1994 several Cubans began breaking into consulates and the homes of ambassadors as well as hijacking boats in hopes to leave 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 31,000 rafters would be detained at the base.[2] Many Cubans held at the Naval base were concerned they would be sent back to Cuba instead of granted permission to enter the United States.[3] On May 2, 1995 the Clinton administration would announce that the majority of the detainees would be processed and allowed to immigrate.[4]
Policy change
In response to the crisis Bill Clinton would enact the Wet feet, dry feet policy where only Cuban rafters that make it to U.S. soil will be allowed to remain. The U.S. will also only approve 20,000 immigration visas a year for Cubans.[4]
See also
References
- ^ Taylor, Alan (12 Nov 2014). "20 Years After the 1994 Cuban Raft Exodus". The Atlantic. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ a b Cuba. ABC-CLIO. 2013.
- ^ "Cuban Rafter Crisis". Miami Herald.
- ^ a b Santiago, Fabiola (16 Aug 2016). "A revisit to the Cuban Balsero crisis and the people who found freedom in America". Miami Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2019.