Statement from Johana Tablada, deputy director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ U.S. Office

AT 10:30am today, April 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) informed the United States Interests Section in Havana that the Cuban government was prepared to hand over to its authorities American citizens Joshua Michael Hakken, his wife Sharyn Patricia Hakken and their two young children.

Previously, at 1:30pm on April 8, the Cuban Ministry informed the United States Interests Section in Havana, and subsequently the State Department in Washington that, at 3.20pm on April 7, 2013, the Hakken couple, accompanied by their young children Chase Julian Hakken and Cole Travis Hakken, had arrived at the Marina Hemingway aboard the yacht Salty Paw, flying a U.S. flag. The vessel arrived in Cuba in adverse weather conditions, unsuitable for navigation.

Given press reports associating the Hakken couple with a case of the kidnapping of minors, the Cuban authorities communicated the presence of these persons in the country.

From the outset, diplomatic notes were exchanged and there has been professional and constant communication between MINREX and the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, in order to ensure the integrity and wellbeing of the minors.