WILLEMSTAD – Families in Venezuela are in a state of anguish and uncertainty over their loved ones who left by boat for Curaçao last Sunday and have been missing at sea ever since. The Coast Guard managed to rescue ten passengers, including 29-year-old Maria Jiménez Navarro, who tragically passed away after being airlifted to the Curaçao Medical Center. 

Maria's mother, Nilda Navarro Vargas, shared that her daughter had told her on Sunday evening that she was going to a party. After that, she never heard from her again. By Tuesday, the Coast Guard received reports of one or possibly two boats that had left Venezuela on Sunday night but had never arrived in Curaçao. A search operation was launched, and around midday, one of the boats was found capsized, possibly following a pirate attack. Six men and four women were discovered adrift at sea and were rescued. 

Tragic Loss and a Plea for Assistance 

Maria, found in critical condition, was airlifted to the Coast Guard base but succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital. Her mother identified her by a tattoo and was informed of her passing through mutual acquaintances. 

Now, Navarro Vargas faces the daunting challenge of repatriating her daughter’s body to Venezuela, a process estimated to cost $6,000. She is calling on the authorities to assist her in arranging the transportation and financial support needed to bring her daughter home. 

More Passengers Still Missing 

Maria was not the only victim of this tragedy. Several passengers remain unaccounted for, and desperate family members have reached out to local media with the names of some of the missing individuals, including 18-year-old Jeremy Espinoza Petit, Enyerberth Jesús Naveda Adrianza, and Karlos Enrique Vazquez Campo. 

So far, there has been no trace of them. Their families have issued a heartfelt plea for anyone with information to come forward and assist authorities in uncovering what happened and bringing them closure.