Mailen Díaz Almaguer, the sole survivor of the 2018 plane crash in Havana, took to Facebook this past Sunday to share a heartfelt message. She commemorated the day, August 23, 2022, marking four years since she first boarded a plane following the life-altering accident.
The journey took her to Cancún, Mexico, and although her stay was brief, lasting just three days, it signified much more than a simple trip. For Mailen, it was a profound triumph over the fear that had gripped her since the devastating event of May 18, 2018.
"This day marked a turning point in my life. It was the first time I boarded a plane after that horrific accident," she expressed in her post.
In her account, the young woman vividly described the whirlwind of emotions she experienced upon boarding that aircraft: "Excitement, nerves, happiness, but above all, the assurance that fear no longer controlled me. Instead, faith prevailed; the certainty that everything in my life was under God's will and that Christ had already freed me from all fear."
Mailen candidly admitted that she didn't fully enjoy those three days in Cancún, but emphasized that this was not what truly mattered: "The best part was breaking free from something that still held me back."
"That flight wasn't merely a trip to Cancún. It was a leap of faith, a victory over fear, and further evidence that when God sets us free, we can once again do what we once thought impossible," she concluded.
A Journey Marked by Resilience and Faith
At the age of 19, Mailen was aboard a Boeing 737-200 operated by the Mexican company Global Air, leased to Cubana de Aviación, which crashed shortly after taking off from José Martí Airport. Out of the 113 passengers, she was the only survivor. Her first husband, Jean Michel López Salinas, tragically perished in the accident.
The physical aftermath was severe: she was left paraplegic, suffered burns, and had her left leg amputated below the knee. Mailen spent months hospitalized at Calixto García in Havana, enduring a lengthy rehabilitation process and numerous surgeries.
Her Christian faith has been a cornerstone of her public narrative since the accident. Affiliated with the Methodist Church, she married Mario Jesús Rodríguez Oliva in March 2022 in a ceremony held at her home in Havana, officiated by the congregation. By September 2025, she began pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Theology at the Methodist Seminary of Havana.
In 2026, Mailen has remained active on social media, advocating for justice for the crash victims and contemplating her faith and Cuba's situation.
On this past Sunday, marking four years since her flight to Cancún, she chose to reflect not with sorrow, but with gratitude and hope for the future.
Mailen Díaz Almaguer: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Faith
What was significant about Mailen Díaz Almaguer's flight to Cancún?
The flight marked her first time on an airplane since the 2018 crash, symbolizing her victory over fear and a step of faith.
How has Mailen Díaz Almaguer's faith influenced her journey since the accident?
Her Christian faith has been central, offering her strength and guiding her actions, including her advocacy for crash victims and her studies in theology.