A moving account on Instagram has brought back memories of a harrowing journey undertaken three years ago by a group of young Cubans. They crafted a homemade raft and embarked on a voyage across the sea, seeking freedom. The post, shared by a user known as "soy danita", has gone viral, vividly recounting how on September 14, 2022, they set sail for the United States armed only with hope, faith, and an improvised vessel.
The young woman explained that the raft was constructed by her husband and several friends. For three months, they worked in secrecy, welding metal, calculating buoyancy, and meticulously planning every detail to brave the open sea. Although fear was a constant companion, their desire to leave Cuba was stronger. "We never saw risks, only the desire to arrive. We never lost faith," she emphasized.
The day they set off was fraught with tension. Heavy rainfall and a police presence on the beach made it difficult to unload the raft from the truck. "It was incredibly challenging to get that massive thing off the truck because it weighed so much," she recalled. Nonetheless, they managed to launch it into the sea before dawn, equipped with life jackets, water, food, GPS, a geolocator, and a fuel-loaded engine.
Overcoming Obstacles at Sea
The first night at sea was calm, with the water as still as a "plate," and the group headed towards the Florida Keys, relying on coordinates they had studied for a month. Danita was even able to speak with her family until she lost signal in international waters.
However, as daylight broke and they slowed down to approach U.S. territory under the cover of darkness, mechanical issues arose. The propeller became tangled with seaweed, and the drive shaft began to fail. Soon, the raft was adrift just 21 miles off the U.S. coast. A passing cruise ship spotted them and alerted the U.S. Coast Guard. Following standard procedures, they were repatriated to Cuba, dashing their hopes of reaching their destination by sea.
A New Path to Freedom
Undeterred by the setback, Danita and her mother took a different route. On November 1, 2022, they traveled to Mexico, where her husband awaited them. Together, they crossed the border and entered the United States on November 15. They are now legal residents.
Danita noted that the young people who attempted the journey with her are all in the United States today, a blessing she attributes to divine intervention. "With this story, I want to teach you that if you have a dream, fight for it. Let nothing and no one stop you. Faith is the last thing you lose," she concluded.
Danita now shares her life in freedom, asserting that despite the risks, the journey allowed them to achieve what they longed for—a future far from the poverty and despair of Cuba. Her story is not just a personal memory but a stark portrait of the Cuban reality: a nation its young people flee at great peril, building rafts with their own hands or crossing jungles and borders to escape.
This narrative is one of countless others, yet it continues to stir emotions and highlight the daily tragedy that compels many to take to the seas.
FAQs about Cuban Migration to the U.S.
What motivates young Cubans to risk their lives at sea?
Many young Cubans are driven by the desire for freedom and a better future, away from the economic hardships and lack of opportunities in Cuba.
How do these makeshift rafts reach the United States?
Cuban migrants often use homemade rafts equipped with basic navigation tools and supplies to attempt the perilous journey to the Florida Keys, relying on studied coordinates and weather conditions.
What happens if they are intercepted at sea?
If intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard, migrants are typically repatriated to Cuba under existing immigration protocols, unless they reach U.S. soil and can claim asylum.