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Relatives of two young Cuban migrants requested assistance this Tuesday to locate them after both disappeared during a sea journey near the coasts of Mexico.
Alexander Valdés Valdés, 29 years old, and Raúl Valdés Valdés, 21 years old, were last seen on January 5, 2025, adrift, after a shipwreck that occurred off the coast near Cancun, Mexico, while they were undertaking the dangerous migration journey from Cuba, reported the independent outlet El Toque.
According to testimonies from survivors, Alexander and Raúl were part of a group of nine people who left Cuba on December 24, 2024, from the municipality of La Coloma in Pinar del Río.
After several days of travel, the group was forced to take a break on a small cay, where they stayed for four days before continuing their journey to Mexico.
On January 5, while they were in a high-traffic maritime area in Mexican waters, the boat they were traveling in collided with another vessel and broke apart. The other seven people on board were rescued by a yacht, but the two young men got separated from the group amidst the chaos, the report explains.
According to the accounts of the survivors, Alexander and Raúl were seen in the distance after the shipwreck. One of them, apparently wearing a life jacket, was seen floating, and it was reported that a sailboat was attempting to rescue him, but no further information about his whereabouts is known.
Eduardo Pérez Otaño, a close relative of the missing, made a desperate appeal to anyone who might have information about them.
"Any information that can be shared will be a great help to us," commented Pérez Otaño.
In addition, a WhatsApp number is available (+52 735 218 3195) for anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Alexander and Raúl to contact the family.
For its part, the portal elTOQUE has enabled a form for family members and friends to report missing persons along the migration route, with the aim of facilitating the search and providing support to the victims of these shipwrecks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Rafters and Shipwrecks in the Caribbean
What happened to the two Cuban rafters who went missing in Mexico?
Alexander Valdés Valdés, 29 years old, and Raúl Valdés Valdés, 21 years old, disappeared following a shipwreck off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. They were last seen on January 5, 2025, drifting after their boat collided with another vessel. The other seven members of the group were rescued, but Alexander and Raúl got separated in the chaos.
How many Cuban rafters have died trying to reach the United States in 2024?
In 2024, at least 142 Cuban rafters have died in the Caribbean while attempting to reach the United States, according to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This figure is part of a total of 291 migrants who have died or gone missing on maritime routes in the Caribbean during the year.
What actions are the families of the missing rafters taking to find them?
Families of the missing are using social media and communication channels to spread information and seek help. They are providing contact numbers and forms for anyone with information about the missing to reach out to them.
Why do Cubans continue to risk their lives on treacherous sea journeys?
The search for better opportunities and living conditions outside of Cuba motivates many to risk their lives on perilous sea journeys. The difficult economic and political situation on the island is a key factor in their decision to emigrate.
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