The 1994 Cuban raft exodus

The National
  • A man gestures as a makeshift boat is lowered from a roof where it was built.
    A man gestures as a makeshift boat is lowered from a roof where it was built.
  • People start their bid to a new life in the US. Some 31,000 Cubans were detained at sea by US ships that summer in the largest exodus since the 1980 Mariel boatlift, which brought 120,000 Cubans to Miami.
    People start their bid to a new life in the US. Some 31,000 Cubans were detained at sea by US ships that summer in the largest exodus since the 1980 Mariel boatlift, which brought 120,000 Cubans to Miami.
  • Cubans watch as a makeshift boat is carried to the sea.
    Cubans watch as a makeshift boat is carried to the sea.
  • Cuba lifted restrictions on rafters in 1994, opening the flood gates for anyone who wanted to leave the communist-led island.
    Cuba lifted restrictions on rafters in 1994, opening the flood gates for anyone who wanted to leave the communist-led island.
  • People launch a makeshift boat. These days Cubans making the trip make few political or media waves.
    People launch a makeshift boat. These days Cubans making the trip make few political or media waves.
  • Men take a smoke break while getting ready to load their raft on to a lorry.
    Men take a smoke break while getting ready to load their raft on to a lorry.
  • The 1994 crisis led to a major shift in US-Cuba policy and an accord under which Washington agreed to grant visas to 20,000 Cuban migrants a year.
    The 1994 crisis led to a major shift in US-Cuba policy and an accord under which Washington agreed to grant visas to 20,000 Cuban migrants a year.
  • People put the finishing touches to a makeshift boat.
    People put the finishing touches to a makeshift boat.
  • Rolando Pujol Rodriguez photographed the Cuban raft exodus in 1994.
    Rolando Pujol Rodriguez photographed the Cuban raft exodus in 1994.