Relatives of two young Cuban migrants have made a public plea for assistance in locating them after they vanished during a perilous sea journey near the Mexican coastline. Alexander Valdés Valdés, aged 29, and Raúl Valdés Valdés, aged 21, were last seen adrift on January 5, 2025, following a maritime accident near Cancún, Mexico. The independent outlet El Toque reported on the incident as the two men were attempting the dangerous migration from Cuba.
According to accounts from the survivors, Alexander and Raúl were part of a group of nine individuals who departed from Cuba on December 24, 2024. They set sail from the municipality of La Coloma in Pinar del Río. The group had to pause their journey on a small island, where they stayed for four days before resuming their trek toward Mexico.
On January 5, while navigating a heavily trafficked maritime area in Mexican waters, their boat collided with another vessel and broke apart. Seven people from the group were rescued by a yacht. However, the two young men drifted away amidst the chaos, as detailed in the survivors' accounts.
Reports indicate that after the shipwreck, Alexander and Raúl were seen at a distance. One of them, seemingly wearing a life jacket, was spotted floating. It was reported that a sailboat attempted to rescue him, but their whereabouts remain unknown.
Eduardo Pérez Otaño, a close family member of the missing men, has issued an urgent appeal to anyone who might have information about them. “Any piece of information that can be shared would be of immense help to us,” Pérez Otaño expressed.
Additionally, a WhatsApp number (+52 735 218 3195) has been set up for anyone who may have details regarding Alexander and Raúl's location to contact the family. Meanwhile, the portal elTOQUE has enabled a form for families and friends to report missing persons on migration routes, aiming to aid the search efforts and support the victims of such maritime tragedies.
FAQs on Cuban Migrants' Disappearance
When were Alexander and Raúl last seen?
Alexander and Raúl were last seen on January 5, 2025, after a shipwreck near Cancún, Mexico.
How many people were in the group that left Cuba?
There were nine individuals in the group that departed from Cuba on December 24, 2024.
What measures are being taken to find the missing rafters?
Relatives have set up a WhatsApp contact for any information, and elTOQUE has provided a form for reporting missing persons along migration routes.