Havana, December 23 (RHC)-- The U.S. Coast Guard returned to Cuba 18 irregular migrants who participated in an illegal departure from the island by sea.

According to a national television report, the Cubans had left in a makeshift boat without the necessary conditions or rescue equipment.

The authorities of the Caribbean nation received them with hygienic-sanitary measures to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

This group brings to 980 the number of people returned by the United States in similar operations to comply with the joint declaration between both parties in 2017.

Recently Lázaro Delgado, deputy director of the island's General Directorate of Identification, Immigration, and Aliens, emphasized that in 2021 there is a notable increase in irregular immigration and returns.

According to official figures, in 2020, 154 people were returned, while this year, the figure exceeds 1,440.

Cuba reiterated its commitment to maintaining safe, orderly, and regular migratory flows, even during Covid-19, and denounced the hostile policy of the United States in this regard.