Mariel boatlift
（重定向自Marielitos）
![Cuban refugees arriving in crowded boats during the Mariel boatlift crisis.](/Images/godic/202501/26/Mariel_Refugees3144.jpg")
The Mariel boatlift was a mass emigration of Cubans, who traveled from Cuba's Mariel Harbor to the United States between 15 April and 31 October 1980. The term "Marielito" (plural "Marielitos") is used to refer is these refugees in both Spanish and English. The boatlift was precipitated by a sharp downturn in the Cuban economy.