MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The Broward County medical examiner's office has identified the remains of four Cuban migrants found floating off Hollywood Beach on Aug. 24.
After examining the tattoos and DNA received from local relatives, the men were identified as Guillermo Enrique Buitrago Milanes, 45, Jose Ramon Acosta, 35, Alberto Gonzales Mesa, 25, and Junier Fernandez Hernandez, 32.
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U.S. Coast Guard officials said two of the men were found by good Samaritans about 17 miles offshore, and the two others were found later that day by the Coast Guard.
"While the investigation has concluded, we will continue to work with our federal, state and local partner agencies to send a clear message to anyone contemplating this dangerous and deadly voyage to reach the U.S. illegally: Don't do it. Don't risk your life or the lives of those you love. Don't become the next soul lost at sea," said Capt. Mark Fedor, chief of response for the Coast Guard in Miami Beach.
The Coast Guard estimates that so far this year 3,722 Cubans, 5,478 Haitians and 601 Dominicans have attempted to migrate illegally by traveling on make-shift boats.
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