The heartbreaking demise of two-year-old Cuban twins, Leosdel and Leosniel, occurred during a perilous sea journey from Cuba to Mexico. Their father shared this devastating news with Martí Noticias on Saturday through a text message, expressing his inability to speak further.
Having lived in Cancun for nearly a year, Leobel Ricardo Oviedo was confronted with the most dreadful news just a day after he felt relieved upon hearing that the boat had been located in the waters near Yucatán.
Adacheli Sosa, a cousin of the father, was the first to disclose the tragic outcome, explaining the scenario when Oviedo reached the location where the migrants were held by Mexican authorities: "The children were not there. He met with his wife, who confirmed that both toddlers had died during the voyage, seemingly due to dehydration."
Hours later, Oviedo himself confirmed the deaths, stating that his wife, Yusimy Garrobo Leiva, aged 35, was by his side.
Mexican authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances or cause of the twins' deaths, leaving dehydration as a family-provided explanation.
The boat, carrying 19 individuals—12 adults and seven children—embarked from Pinar del Río on August 11. That same day, Oviedo lost contact with his wife and children.
On Friday, he shared that the journey's conditions were dire: the boat had scant provisions and only two boxes of small water bottles for the entire trip.
"That day, I lost communication and couldn't speak with them again," recounted Oviedo, referring to August 11, describing the ensuing days as torturous: "I felt terrible, didn't know what to do, desperate, because desperation is the worst."
The Mexican Navy located the vessel near Chicxulub Puerto, Yucatán, around August 20, under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Naval Zone, placing its occupants under Mexican custody.
Before learning of his children's deaths, Oviedo, on Friday, upon hearing of the rescue, implored Mexican authorities: "I wish for an opportunity in this country to reunite with my family, to continue striving, to move forward. That is all I ask."
The twins and their mother resided in Vertientes, Camagüey, and the voyage aimed at family reunification in Mexico.
Oviedo candidly explained the dire circumstances that drove his wife to undertake such a hazardous journey with two young children: "In Cuba, everything is terrible; you are never allowed to live freely in Cuba, it is unlivable."
This incident adds to a series of tragedies along the Cuba-Mexico migration route. In August 2026, two young Cubans also drowned in the waters off Pinar del Río following another boat's wreck in Sandino on August 14. Documented data indicates that between 2021 and 2023, at least 98 Cuban migrants have died and 340 have gone missing in similar journeys.
The precise circumstances surrounding the deaths of Leosdel and Leosniel remain to be officially clarified by Mexican authorities.
Understanding the Risks of Cuban Sea Migration
What were the conditions of the journey from Cuba to Mexico?
The journey was fraught with peril due to limited supplies; the boat had minimal food and only two boxes of small water bottles for all passengers.
Why did the family attempt such a dangerous voyage?
Oviedo cited the untenable living conditions in Cuba as the driving force behind his wife's decision to risk the journey, seeking a better life and family reunification in Mexico.
Have Mexican authorities clarified the cause of death for the twins?
As of now, Mexican authorities have not provided an official statement on the cause of death, with dehydration being the explanation given by the family.