An infallible formula for being well-received as an immigrant in the United States is to be shipwrecked in her territorial waters. Cárdenas is a good departure point: it is close to Florida, and its coves are protected by mangrove swamps. Moreover, the regional art of making small craft for fishing in the nearby Zapata Swamp and Del Tesoro Lagoon provides raw materials for illegal boats, in particular the aluminum pipes used for irrigating citrus groves. People say that Munero must have spent some $200 and an additional 800 Cuban pesos on the motor and the boat's construction. The result was a kind of lifeboat, with no roof and no seats. Three inner tubes were put on board as life preservers for 14 people. There was no room for more. Before they left, most of the passengers injected themselves with Gravinol to prevent seasickness.Illegal boats. Of course.
Sickening.