Boat Cubans Used to Defect Is Returned

The United States returned a Cuban patrol boat used by four members of the Communist island’s coast guard to defect, the State Department said.

Cuba had demanded that the United States send back the boat and the crew, who slipped into the Florida resort town of Key West on Friday, docking their vessel at a hotel marina and turning themselves in to police.

It was not immediately clear whether the men, who had handguns and rifles when they reached Florida, remained in the United States. But under a provision for migrants, Cubans who make it to U.S. soil are usually allowed to stay.