A Cuban man, known as El Potro, recounted his harrowing experience of spending eleven days stranded at sea, battling enormous waves, starvation, and dehydration, all the while believing he would never reunite with his children. His gripping tale, shared on the YouTube channel Mario Aliesky TV, highlights the stark reality faced by countless Cubans who venture into the ocean in search of a better life.
On January 1, 2023, El Potro silently departed from Pinar del Río with a group of ten men and one woman on a makeshift raft measuring nine meters. Unbeknownst to their families, they carried only a few provisions: cookies, peanuts, and several gallons of water.
For the initial four days, the wind propelled them toward Mexico, but on the fifth day, everything changed. The wind shifted, a storm struck their vessel, and they were left adrift. "I thought that was the end for me. I would look at pictures of my kids on my phone and weep in secret," he recalled.
With severely limited supplies—just a small cup of water for two people each day and one cookie per person—the group endured the scorching sun and salty sea air, weakened and exhausted. "The captain told us: either a ship rescues us, or we all perish."
On the eleventh day, a miracle occurred. A Finnish ship spotted them and, after hours of anticipation, brought them aboard. "When the ship's horn sounded, we all cried like never before. They saved our lives," El Potro recounted, expressing gratitude for the food, medical care, and the overwhelming relief of survival.
However, their dream of reaching the United States ended in a frustrating immigration limbo. After being handed over to authorities in New Orleans, El Potro spent seven months detained in immigration centers. "The first month was pure hunger, just instant soup. If it weren't for a friend sending me money, I don't know what I would have done."
He attempted to plead his asylum case at three hearings, but lacking family or sufficient support in the U.S., he was deported on August 22, 2023. "Even if you don't sign, they still put you on the plane," he explained. He returned to Cuba on a flight with 73 other deportees.
The reunion with his mother and children was tearful. "Imagine not seeing them for seven months, thinking I'd never hold them again," he shared. Despite everything, he vows never to risk his life at sea again. "If I leave Cuba, it will be legally, because my children and my mother don't deserve to suffer through what I endured."
His story underscores the desperation and shattered hopes of many Cubans who view emigration as their only option. "My dream remains to provide a better future for my children," he confessed, eyes fixed on a horizon he still dreams of reaching—this time without rafts, storms, or secretive farewells.
Understanding the Risks of Cuban Migration
What challenges do Cuban migrants face at sea?
Cuban migrants often encounter severe weather conditions, limited supplies, and the risk of being lost at sea, leading to dehydration and starvation.
What happens to Cuban migrants who reach the U.S.?
Upon arrival, Cuban migrants may face detention while their cases are reviewed. Without sufficient support or family in the U.S., many face deportation back to Cuba.
Why do Cubans risk their lives to leave the island?
Many Cubans embark on dangerous journeys due to economic hardships and the hope of securing a better future in another country.