Cuban woman arrested in Miami for her alleged role in the deaths of 16 migrants

The authorities in Florida to have held Yaqulelin Domínguez-Nieves, a 25-year-old Cuban resident of Sebring, on charges related to the deaths of 16 migrants. An official statement said she is awaiting trial, charged with ten counts related to a human trafficking operation that resulted in the drowning of 16 illegal immigrants, four of whom were recovered at sea.

Markenzy Lapointethe U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, commented on the case, which is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney. Zachary A. Keller. “Human trafficking businesses endanger the lives of migrants for profit. These traffickers exploit immigrants’ hopes for a better life, often with tragic consequences,” Lapointe said. He emphasized that the U.S. Attorney's Office aims to protect vulnerable migrants and save lives, with a commitment to prosecuting those involved in illegal human trafficking operations.

Matthew J. Margelot, Special Agent in Charge of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), said Domínguez-Nieves' indictment and arrest demonstrate his unwavering commitment to protecting people from the dangers of illegal smuggling activities. “These criminal acts violate federal law and put human lives at risk. We remain steadfast in our mission to bring to justice those who commit such heinous acts and to ensure the security of our maritime borders,” Margelot said.

Details of the tragic incident

Preliminary investigation data reveals that Domínguez operated a smuggling business. On November 16, 2022, during one of the planned trips, the 16 migrants died, many of them children. Three other people have also been charged in this case. One survivor reported the boat was overloaded and lacking life jackets. It sank approximately thirty miles off the coast of Cuba en route to the Southern District of Florida.

Domínguez faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The official release states that the CGIS Southeast Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West, the U.S. Border Patrol, the County Medical Examiner's Office Monroe and the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.