Exile group abandons attempt to reach Cuba

A boat carrying 40 people heads back to Florida after the group conducted prayer services at the edge of Cuban territorial water Saturday.

January 25, 1998
Web posted at: 1:52 p.m. EST (1852 GMT)

MARATHON, Florida (CNN) -- Cuban exile Ramon Saul Sanchez has ended his effort to sail to Cuba because of mechanical problems, a spokesman for Sanchez's Democracy Movement said Sunday.

Sanchez and three other members of the Miami-based Democracy Movement left the Florida coast early Saturday with the stated goal of reaching Cuba. The 35-foot boat lost its steering Saturday night and was forced to limp back to Miami, according to Democracy Movement Executive Director Norman Del Valle.

The boat, dubbed "The Human Rights," encountered high winds and 8-foot seas, said Del Valle. There is no word on how close to the Cuban shore the vessel came before turning around.

A second vessel with 40 people aboard returned to Florida after conducting prayer services at the edge of Cuban territorial water on Saturday. Several small airplanes also neared the edge of Cuban airspace to fly over the boats.

The spokesman said Sanchez's voyage was aimed at protesting Pope John Paul II's visit to Cuba and calling attention to the Democracy Movement.

In the past, Cuba has handled some exiles' entry into Cuban territorial waters with force. In 1995, when another Democracy Movement boat approached the edge of Cuban waters, it was rammed by a Cuban Coast Guard vessel, resulting in minor injuries.

In January 1996, two Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down by Cuban jet fighters as they flew near the edge of Cuban air space. All four people on board the planes were killed.

Related stories:

• Exiles attempt illegal landing on Cuban shores - January 24, 1998

Follow the Pope's visit day-by-day:   Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5

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