US Coast Guard stops 131 Dominicans from reaching Puerto Rico

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

MIAMI, USA (AFP): The US Coast Guard said Monday it intercepted two boats carrying 131 Dominicans who were trying to reach the US island of Puerto Rico.

The illegal immigrants were stopped in the Mona Passage, the strait that separates the two islands. Puerto Rico is 60 miles east of the Dominican Republic.

The Dominicans -- 97 men and 34 women -- were returned to their country, the Coast Guard said.

The Dominican Republic's economic crisis has led to an increase in people escaping the country by boat.

More than 3,000 people have been stopped in the Mona Passage since October 1, according to the Coast Guard. Nearly 1,900 have been caught since January.

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