Lost at Sea: The Tragic Tale of Maiquel Gonzalez

Maiquel Gonzalez, a Cuban youth, vanished with 28 others while trying to flee to the U.S. via a homemade boat in 2022. Their disappearance highlights the desperation and deadly risks taken amid immigration tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, and the uncertainty faced by families left behind.

Every morning, Cuban mother Mayra Ruiz grapples with uncertainty, hoping for news of her missing son, Maiquel Gonzalez. In December 2022, Gonzalez vanished along with 28 others while fleeing to Florida on a homemade boat amidst tightening U.S. immigration rules.

For nearly two years, Ruiz lived with hope but no answers as regional governments conducted insufficient investigations. The U.N.'s Missing Migrants Project notes the dangers of such ventures, yet many Cubans feel compelled to take the risk due to economic desperation.

As U.S. immigration policies loom as election issues, fear grows, prompting preparation for more hazardous crossings. Meanwhile, communities in Cuba are left to mourn and ponder the fate of their loved ones.

(With inputs from agencies.)