“When Fidel Castro defeated [Former President Fulgencio] Batista and formally assumed power in Cuba in 1959, the exodus escalated, peaking at approximately 78,000 in 1962. In October of that year [1962], Castro stopped regularly scheduled travel between the two countries, and the risky practice of asylum seekers setting sail from Cuba to Florida began.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
Ruth Ellen Wasem, “Cuban Migration to the United States: Policy and Trends,” Federation of American Scientists, FAS.org, June 2, 2009