Mailén Díaz Almaguer, the sole survivor of Cubana de Aviación Flight 972, shared an emotional message on Facebook this Monday, as she marked the eighth anniversary of the most devastating air disaster in Cuba in the last 30 years.
"If back then I had been told everything that was to follow, I wouldn't have believed it. It's been eight years now," wrote Mailén, using the hashtag #ProhibidoOlvidar (Forbidden to Forget), along with five photos of her late husband, Jean Michel López Salinas, who perished in the tragedy.
The Tragic Day in May 2018
The crash took place on May 18, 2018, when a Boeing 737-201, leased by Cubana de Aviación from the Mexican airline Global Air, plummeted just 35 seconds after taking off from José Martí International Airport heading to Holguín, crashing in an agricultural area of Boyeros municipality.
Out of the 113 people on board, 112 lost their lives: 101 were Cubans, six were Mexican crew members, and five were foreign passengers.
Mailén's Journey of Recovery and Advocacy
Mailén, who was 19 at the time and newly married, suffered severe injuries, including the amputation of part of her leg, paralysis in both arms, and underwent numerous surgeries and extended rehabilitation.
Since the accident, Mailén has maintained a public presence, chronicling her recovery, highlighting the scarcity of medical supplies in Cuba, and advocating for justice for the victims and their families.
Legal Developments and Continuing Challenges
This year’s anniversary is marked by a significant judicial development: on March 30, a Mexican federal judge ordered Global Air to pay 124.2 million Mexican pesos (approximately 7.1 million dollars) to the families of four deceased crew members, marking the first firm civil judgment in the case.
Attorney Samuel González Ruiz indicated that the airline operated the aircraft without proper maintenance, in violation of a flying ban, and that "all the aircraft’s maintenance records were falsified" by the company’s management.
However, collecting the payment remains uncertain as Global Air is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings initiated in 2024.
Adding to the complexity is the Cuban regime's refusal to cooperate with Mexican judicial authorities: the Prosecutor's Office has sent over eight international requests with no response from Havana. Spanish lawyer Carlos Villacorta Salis, representing more than 50 Cuban families and Mailén Díaz Almaguer herself, highlighted the recent ruling against Global Air as a crucial precedent, suggesting a compensation guideline of 1.7 to 1.8 million dollars per victim for future claims.
Mailén's Path Forward
In September 2025, Mailén embarked on a new chapter by enrolling in a Theology degree at the Methodist Seminary in Havana, steadily rebuilding her life since that fateful morning in May 2018.
On April 9, anticipating the anniversary, Mailén had already reflected on the significance of the occasion: "May JUSTICE be the word that honors May 18th after 8 years of so much suffering and uncertainty."
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Air Disaster
What was the cause of the Cubana de Aviación Flight 972 crash?
The crash was attributed to improper maintenance and operational failures by the airline, as well as falsification of maintenance records.
How has Mailén Díaz Almaguer advocated for justice?
Mailén has been vocal about her recovery journey, the lack of medical resources in Cuba, and has continuously called for justice for the victims and their families.
What legal actions have been taken against Global Air?
A Mexican federal judge ordered Global Air to compensate the families of four deceased crew members, with the airline currently facing bankruptcy proceedings.