Preps for potential exodus

March 08, 2007

The U.S. Coast Guard is set to begin a mass exercise to prepare for the possible flood of refugees in event of Fidel Castro's death. During the 1980 Mariel boatlift crisis, 125,000 Cubans took to their boats to head to Florida after Fidel Castro allowed the exodus to proceed. Authorities will test their skills in intercepting vessels heading towards Cuba - and stopping refugees from the island from reaching Florida's shores. Some Cuban exile groups have said they will dispatch vessels towards the island once Fidel Castro passes to pick up relatives.