In a heartbreaking incident, four young individuals from Niquero in Granma province have been confirmed dead following a maritime tragedy as they attempted to flee Cuba illegally. The loss of these young lives, identified as Alba Parrado Meriño, Leandro López, Adrián Matos Maceo, and a fourth individual known only as "José," has sparked waves of grief across social media.
"Today, I join my town Niquero in mourning the irreparable loss of these young people, who perished while seeking a better future for themselves and their families," shared Roger Aurelio Ávila in a poignant Facebook post. He highlighted the deep affection the community held for the deceased. Another Cuban, identified online as "La Niña Linda de Ochún," expressed her condolences from Bogotá, saying, "Rest in peace. My heartfelt sympathies to the families. May God grant them eternal glory."
The Mystery of the Incident
The specifics of the unfortunate event remain unclear, though it appears linked to the capsizing of a vessel departing from Playa Menéndez in Martí municipality. Recent reports from independent outlet elToque suggest a collision between a speedboat and another craft resulted in the presumed deaths of 24 Cuban migrants, with only a gravely injured lifeguard surviving.
William Tamayo Tuñón, aged 41, and Alejandro Peñafuerte, 17, were reportedly among the group, but questions linger about the precise number of individuals involved and potential additional survivors. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed an investigation into a suspected migrant smuggling incident involving the capsized vessel. On Monday, four Cuban migrants were repatriated amid ongoing police inquiries.
Unanswered Questions and Government Silence
A source close to the repatriated migrants confirmed their connection to the ill-fated speedboat journey, which allegedly claimed the lives of Peñafuerte and Tamayo Tuñón. "One of the smugglers died, and the other is critically injured in Key West. The four survivors are at a police investigation unit in Matanzas," the source disclosed, requesting anonymity due to fear of government retribution.
The source revealed that the migrants drifted at sea for seven days without rescue, lamenting the lack of assistance from those aware of the operation in the United States. Of the 15 people aboard, only five survived, including one of the smugglers. Crime reporter Niover Licea noted that among the 24 migrants, four survivors were returned to Cuba this week but remain unable to contact their families due to ongoing investigations.
As this story develops, many questions remain unanswered, including whether this incident involved a single shipwreck or multiple. Unfortunately, the Cuban government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the tragedy.