Technology Is Transforming the Deadly Voyage From Cuba to Florida

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Smartphones and mobile internet access have altered the way Cuba’s balseros prepare for and undertake their journeys. The newest generation — “balseros 3.0” — are using digital devices, free and user-friendly navigation apps, as well as newly available e-commerce services to procure their (sometimes regulated) equipment. (View Highlight)
Now, thanks to the increased availability of mobile internet, would-be migrants are not only gaining access to these apps but also using online resources to learn how to use them and train for the journey. (View Highlight)
They had all chipped in for a standalone Garmin GPS device, which they had acquired for $450 on the black market — in Cuba, owning an unauthorized GPS device is regulated. Milanés Pérez said they would turn the GPS on and off intermittently to balance the risk of their signal being detected by the U.S. Coast Guard’s radars with the danger of losing their way. (View Highlight)
Cubans can’t make electronic payments, unless someone abroad with a credit card pays on their behalf. This means many would now likely struggle to use the app as a migratory tool. (View Highlight)
López Cabrera had come armed with another SIM card, registered to a U.S. number operated by AT&T. A Mexican friend visiting Cuba had furtively gifted it to him the day before he set sail. The U.S. SIM card allowed him to share his location with friends, who contacted the U.S. Coast Guard. (View Highlight)