Jamaican officials are investigating reports that a group of 35 Haitians who attempted to enter the country illegally over the weekend were brought to the island by a suspected smuggler.

The captain of the vessel is believed to be the same individual who brought another group of Haitians to Jamaica illegally in September.

The Haitians are fleeing economic hardship and violence in their country, which has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021.

Human rights groups have been critical of Jamaica’s decision to repatriate Haitians who arrive on the island seeking asylum.

Meanwhile, a group of 29 Haitians who arrived in Jamaica in July and applied for asylum are still awaiting a decision from the Jamaican government.