Statement on Incident At Miami Consulate

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public of the recent incident at The Bahamas Consulate General in Miami. The matter began when the building security personnel noticed that a small group of protesters had presented itself at the entrance of the building demanding access to the Consulate. The security personnel alerted the Consulate of the same.

The Consulate notified the US Department of State Office of Foreign Missions in Miami, which advised the Diplomatic Security officers accordingly. The Consulate’s Police Liaison Officer also contacted the Miami Police Department, which immediately dispatched police officers to the building. At no time was any staff member of the Consulate in danger.

It was reported by a local Miami news team that the group of protesters was demanding answers to matters regarding loved ones who, it is alleged, were seeking asylum but were missing in The Bahamas. Further allegations made included mistreatment of Cubans while in the Detention Centre.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted The Bahamas Department of Immigration, which informed the Ministry’s Director-General that none of the individuals named in the article by the Miami Press has shown up on the list of Cuban nationals currently detained at the Detention Centre. The Department of Immigration has reported that, to date, there are no reports of abuse or mistreatment of detainees at the Centre.

Regarding individuals seeking asylum in The Bahamas, careful attention is given to ensuring that asylum procedures, as prescribed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, be observed and upheld. By way of the present, the Bahamian Immigration authorities have informed the Ministry that there are no cases pending of Cuban nationals seeking asylum in The Bahamas at this time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains engaged in the ongoing investigation of this matter.

23 December 2022