The Mariel boatlift was a mass emigration of Cubans who traveled from Cuba's Mariel Harbor to the United States between April 15 and October 31, 1980. The term "Marielito" is used to refer to these refugees in both Spanish and English. While the exodus was triggered by a sharp downturn in the Cuban economy, it followed on the heels of generations of Cubans who had immigrated to the United States in the preceding decades.
Cuban refugees arriving in crowded boats during the Mariel boatlift crisis in 1980
Demonstrations in Cuba expressing disdain for marielitos and support for the government
An overloaded boat of Marielitos in Key West
A U.S. Coast Guard vessel in Key West during the Mariel boatlift
Mariel is a municipality and town in the Artemisa Province of Cuba. It is located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of the city of Havana.
View of Mariel and Mariel Bay