A Cuban mother who, on Wednesday, shared a heart-wrenching video pleading for assistance in locating her daughter, Naomi Álvarez Ramírez, missing for over a week in Mexican waters, has returned to social media with a heartfelt message of relief and gratitude upon learning of her daughter's rescue.
The stark difference between her two posts speaks volumes.
Just a day earlier, the woman, known on social media as "Sol Chango," expressed her agony: "I feel shattered, I feel broken. It's an anguish, a nightmare that I'm living," she tearfully shared.
However, in a matter of hours, her tone fortunately transformed.
"I'm happy, very happy and grateful," she wrote in the Facebook group where she had previously sought help. "Thanks to the Mexican government, thanks to the Mexican navy, I am deeply grateful. Thanks also to people all around the world, friends, dear family, and my Facebook community."
Her appreciation extended to those who kept the search efforts alive through media coverage. "Thanks to the reporters from various news outlets who provided much-needed information to locate my daughter. Ultimately, I am grateful because, one way or another, they all contributed to the rescue of my beautiful daughter, my little girl. Now my heart is joyful, now my heart as a mother can beat again," she concluded.
The Long Days of Uncertainty
The boat had departed on August 11 from the Cuyo area in Pinar del Río, carrying 12 adults and seven children, heading for Mexico. Sol Chango's last communication with her daughter occurred that very day at 4:22 PM.
In her Wednesday video, she made a desperate plea: "I am a mother who is completely desperate, desperate for my daughter. Please, I beg the Mexican authorities to do everything possible."
She also highlighted Naomi's limited supplies: "I am very worried because the food she had was only enough for a few days. I hope that those with her shared a little piece of food, a bit of water for my daughter, because I don't want her to die of dehydration."
She even questioned the speed of the official response: "I see this search as very slow, they should search the coasts, search everywhere. I beg the Mexican government, I beg them as a desperate mother. I'm dying, I'm dying of despair."
Rescue Mission Brings Hope
On Thursday, Mexico's Navy (SEMAR) located the boat near the jurisdiction of the Ninth Naval Zone in Yucatán. An institution source confirmed to AFP: "The Cubans have been recovered. They are on their way to the Naval Command."
Among the rescued children were two-year-old twins, Leosdel and Leosniel, traveling with their mother, Yusimy Garrobo Leiva. Their father, Leobel, had been working in Mexico for nearly a year, waiting to reunite with his family, and described his distress: "Neither sleeping nor eating, the only thing I'm consuming is soda. I sleep with the phone right next to me."
The boat had experienced engine failures and lost fuel due to an accidental spill, forcing the navigator to attempt to continue by sail.
A Crisis Amidst Migration Challenges
This incident occurs amid Cuba's extreme migration risks. Just days before the rescue, on August 14, two young rafters drowned in Sandino waters, also in Pinar del Río: 17-year-old Leodannis Sánchez and 19-year-old Osmaikel, when their boat capsized en route to Cancún.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Migration and Rescues
What prompted the Cuban mother to seek help online?
The Cuban mother, Sol Chango, turned to social media for help after her daughter, Naomi Álvarez Ramírez, went missing for over a week in Mexican waters.
How did the Mexican authorities locate the missing boat?
Mexico's Navy (SEMAR) found the missing boat near the Ninth Naval Zone in Yucatán, leading to the rescue of the Cuban migrants.
What challenges did the migrants face during their journey?
The migrants faced engine failures and a fuel spill, forcing them to rely on sails to continue their journey.