Mayor plans to cross Florida Straits on makeshift raft

MIAMI (AP) — A Florida mayor says he's determined to return home from a visit to Cuba alone in a makeshift raft, despite warnings against the journey from the U.S. Coast Guard.

While he says he will heed a Coast Guard warning to carry an emergency beacon that can broadcast his location, he insists his that his raft will be powered only by currents and not a motor.

Under the policy known as "wet foot/dry foot," Cubans who reach U.S. shore generally can stay and pursue citizenship, while those caught at sea are returned home.

Since Oct. 1, the Coast Guard estimates that over 2,200 Cubans have attempted the voyage.