Related videos:
A 12-year-old boy identified as Alejandro lost his life this Saturday in Isla de la Juventud following an accident that occurred during a tandem paragliding flight at the MININT beach, in the area of Cayos Los Monos, as confirmed by the official statement from the Aviation Club of Cuba.
The body of the minor was found around 12:30 p.m. this Sunday, after more than 21 hours of intense searching, according to information released by the website NiO Reportando un Crimen, which cited a source close to the family. Alejandro lived with his family in the Abel Santamaría neighborhood.
According to the statement from the Club de Aviación de Cuba (CAC), the paraglider —with a tandem pilot and the minor on board— took off from the vicinity of the beach.
Shortly after, a strong current of wind swept them out to sea, and the aircraft landed on the water about 500 meters from the shoreline.
"Apparently, in his effort to get rid of the paraglider's harnesses, the pilot lost control of the passenger, who disappeared before the pilot could prevent it," states the text signed by "The presidency" of the CAC.
The statement was published in the Facebook group "Aerial Sports in Cuba (CAC)" and is signed by René González Sehwerert, president of the Aviation Club of Cuba.
González is a public figure known on the island for having been part of the so-called Red Avispa, a Cuban espionage network that operated in the United States during the 1990s, for which he was convicted by U.S. courts.
Upon his return to Cuba, the regime designated him Hero of the Republic and appointed him president of the CAC, the governing body for aerial sports on the island.
In the statement, the CAC reported that law enforcement authorities are investigating the circumstances of the case and are in contact with the club's management.
He also announced that a commission from the CAC, along with the Instituto de Aeronáutica Civil de Cuba (IACC), will depart next Tuesday for the Isle of Youth to join the investigation and assess the legal, technical, and safety elements related to the flight.
The tandem paragliding flight is a mode where a certified pilot carries a passenger on the same equipment. Emergency landing poses a high risk, especially when occupants need to free themselves from the harnesses while in the water.
The CAC's statement concludes with a message of condolences: "The Aviation Club of Cuba regrets what has happened and extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased minor."
The club stated that "the final results of the investigation will be made public once it concludes."
Filed under: