Family members have not heard from three Cuban men who escaped the misery and oppression of communism on a water bicycle on December 22 in an attempt to pedal their way to freedom across the Florida Straits. The 90-mile stretch between Cuba and the U.S. is treacherous enough on a raft or small boat, even more so on a vessel designed strictly for recreation near the shore.
Via Periodico Cubano (my translation):
Three Cuban rafters have disappeared after escaping on a water bike
On December 22, three men escaped Cuba on their way to the U.S. on board a water bicycle, but nearly 10 days since their departure without hearing anything from them, they have been reported as missing.
The wife of one of the men, Yamara Martinez, told Cubita Now journalist Alberto Arego that Vladimir Izquierdo Pupo, Carlos Amieva, and Yasmany escaped the island from a marina between Matanza and Villa Clara.
The woman contacted the reporter with the hope of getting the word out about these men and the U.S. Coast Guard can start a search.
“I beg you, I plead with you, to this day I haven’t heard anything. Please, tell the U.S. Coast Guard, so they can start a search. I don’t know what to tell my children, I can’t handle this desperation. Help me,” she implored.
The Cuban woman said they contacted the Caribbean nation’s authorities about the men, but they were told they were not among those detained by police.
Continue reading (in Spanish) HERE.