The newspapers are reporting a sharp increase in the number of illegal attempts to cross the Mona Passage from the eastern Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. These clandestine journeys are often made on overloaded, fragile vessels known as “yolas” and many travelers meet a grisly end in the shark-infested waters of this stretch of ocean. The US coastguard has stepped up its monitoring of the area and Hoy newspaper reports this morning that the Dominican navy rescued a boat which had lost its way, apparently having set off from the Samana area last Sunday. The 34 passengers were dehydrated and delirious, but are now recovering in hospital. El Caribe’s main editorial also tackles the subject, remarking that “in times of crisis it is normal that the ‘yola’ crossings should increase, because many people lose hope of improving their situation. Job losses and the high cost of living lead to desperation.”