In 2022, Maiquel González disappeared along with 28 family members and friends who were traveling on an artisanal barge bound for Florida. For two years, his mother, Mayra Ruíz, has been searching for answers about his whereabouts. Unlike the traditional route of Cuban migrationwhich consists of going by plane to Nicaragua, Gonzalez opted for the boat alternative as it was cheaper, costing less than 200 dollars.

The Straits, which bridge the gap between Cuba and the US state of Florida, are plagued by strong currents, treacherous weather and shark-infested waters and are considered among the five most dangerous migrant crossings in the world, the UN says. United Nations data indicates that 626 migrants have died on this road since 2014, but the real figure is difficult to calculate, since the possible sinking of the ships is not investigated. The organization defines them as invisible shipwrecks, in which the whereabouts of the crew members are not clear. This is a common phenomenon also in other crossing areas such as the Mediterranean and the African coast.