Balseros (rafters)

Balseros (Rafters, from the Spanish "Balsa", Raft) is the name given to the persons who emigrate illegally in self constructed or precarious vessels from Cuba to neighbouring states including the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and, most commonly, the United States. The Cuban Rafters, almost always disagree with communism and the Cuban government of the Castro Family. On July 31 1964 5 cubans leave cuba on a home made raft consisting of only 8 truck inner tubes and bamboo poles tied together.