Cubans rescued at sea off Florida say nine others died

Miami (AFP) - Cubans rescued at sea off Florida say nine others died trying to reach the United States in a makeshift boat, the Coast Guard said. The 18 survivors, plucked from the waters west of Marco Island by a cruise ship, claimed they left Cuba 22 days ago and that their colleagues perished at sea during the dangerous crossing of the Florida Straits, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Word of the deaths comes as US President Barack Obama prepares to head to Cuba Sunday for a historic visit highlighting the restoration of relations between Havana and Washington. More...