MEMBERS of the Cuban exile community in Miami yesterday made good on their promise to stage a protest against the alleged mistreatment of Cuban and other undocumented immigrants being held in the Bahamas.

Vessels from the Democracy Movement, a human rights group based in Miami, gathered in the harbour, on the north side of Government Cut, protesting against all Bahamas-bound cruise ships.

The boats flew both American and Cuban flags and displayed placards denouncing the supposed abuse of those held at the Detention Centre in Nassau.

On Wednesday Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, encouraged Bahamians at home and in Miami to defend the nation’s reputation.

Mr Mitchell said he has had ‘enough’ of protesters who need to ‘give it a rest.’

“If we don’t push back then people will start to believe that it is true. All Bahamians have to speak out against this,” he said.

“We are the Bahamas, sitting in the middle of two countries, the US and Cuba. They are both friends of ours. There is no reason to be defaming this country. We are not in their ideological fight. If they want to go to the US then they should apply to the US for visas.

“People in our detention lock ups are treated humanely. If there are issues let us know and we will address them. The conditions are humane, they are not the best, but people are not beaten.”