1994 Cuban rafter crisis

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] Fearing a major exodus, the Clinton administration would mandate that all rafters captured at sea be detained at Guantanamo Bay.[2]

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 35,000 Cubans arrive in the United States

History

Background

Further information: Special Period

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.[3]

Exodus and detention

Further information: Maleconazo and Haitian refugee crisis

See also: Operations Safe Haven and Safe Passage

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.[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 while waiting idle and uncertain of their futures would try to become productive. Some detainees constructed makeshift gyms, art galleries, newspapers, a radio station, and held poetry readings.[6] On May 2, 1995 the Clinton administration announced that the majority of the detainees would be processed and allowed to immigrate.[7]

Policy change

Main article: Wet feet, dry feet policy

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. will also only approve 20,000 immigration visas a year for Cubans.[7]

See also

• Mariel boatlift

References

1. Taylor, Alan (12 Nov 2014). "20 Years After the 1994 Cuban Raft Exodus". The Atlantic. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
2. "The Rafter Crisis of 1994 and the U.S. Response". University of Miami Libraries Digital Exhibits.
3. Cuba. ABC-CLIO. 2013.
4. "Cuban Rafter Crisis". Miami Herald.
5. "Creation and Recreation". University of Miami.
6. "The Cuban Rafter Crisis Revisited". University of Miami Libraries Digital Exhibits.
7. 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.