US Downplays Blockade Speculation as Refugee Flow Continues

The United States has played down speculation of a possible blockade of Cuba to bring down Fidel Castro's regime, with a Pentagon official stating that a blockade was not "at the forefront of our planning". Meanwhile, the flow of refugees from Cuba continues, with a record 1,293 intercepted by the Coast Guard in a single day, the most since the Mariel boat-lift in 1980. The refugees' journey to the United States has raised concerns about the Obama administration's handling of the crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pentagon has downplayed speculation of a blockade of Cuba, with a senior official stating that it is not a priority for the US government.
• A record 1,293 Cuban refugees were intercepted by the Coast Guard in a single day, the most since the Mariel boat-lift in 1980.
• The US Navy has contingency plans to deploy up to 10 ships to pick up Cubans adrift at sea, with a primary focus on using Coast Guard vessels.
• White House Chief-of-Staff Leon Panetta has sparked controversy with comments suggesting a blockade is one of the options facing President Clinton, which was later downplayed by a senior defence official.
• An air tour of the Florida Straits has been planned by Defence Secretary William Perry to assess the flow of refugees.
• The US has imposed economic sanctions on Cuba, including a ban on cash payments to relatives of Cubans in Cuba.

Statistics:

• 1,293: The number of Cuban refugees intercepted by the Coast Guard in a single day.
• 1980: The year the Mariel boat-lift occurred, in which 125,000 Cubans flooded to Florida in five months.
• 10: The number of ships that the US Navy plans to deploy to pick up Cubans adrift at sea.

Sources:

• Asia-Pacific Wire Service (AP)
• Pentagon press release (no official date)