Recently, two separate groups of Cuban rafters managed to reach different Mexican states, successfully blending in with local communities without being noticed by the authorities, according to reports from Mexican media.
In one incident, a group of nine rafters arrived between Friday night and early Saturday morning in Progreso, a port city in the state of Yucatán. They traveled on a makeshift raft constructed from aluminum sheets and wood, measuring about three meters long and 1.5 meters wide, which was found on the beach of Nueva Yucalpetén neighborhood. This discovery quickly gained attention on social media, and several sailors admitted to spotting a similar vessel days earlier.
One detailed account revealed that a fishing boat encountered the raft, carrying nine Cuban nationals, approximately one hundred miles off the coast of Progreso. Upon reaching land, eyewitnesses reported that the group quickly disembarked and vanished into the streets of the port, eluding further detection. In response, local port authorities have been alerted, and the National Institute of Migration (INM) has launched a search operation to locate the missing rafters, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Another Raft Found in Quintana Roo
In a separate but similar event, an empty raft was discovered on a beach in Isla Mujeres, located in the state of Quintana Roo. This vessel, named "Esperanza" and painted green and red, contained empty gasoline barrels, water containers, food, diapers, wet clothing, Cuban currency, and other items, as reported by TV Azteca.
Last month, 25 Cuban rafters were apprehended on Isla Mujeres after landing near the Villa Kin hotel, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Cuban nationals attempting to reach Mexico.