Cuauhtémoc Cadets Honor Fallen in Cozumel Flag Ceremony

Cozumel, Mexico — Cadets from the Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc participated this Monday in the solemn ceremony for the raising of the monumental flag in the port of Cozumel, an event that highlighted the importance of training the future officers of the Mexican Navy, who provide security in Mexican territorial waters.

On Monday morning, the first of November, municipal authorities, armed forces personnel, students from CETMAR 33, and cadets from the Buque Escuela Cuauhtémoc conducted the raising of the monumental flag on the esplanade of the Cozumel malecón. The event highlighted the visit of the "Caballero de los Mares," which had arrived at the island this past Sunday, November 2, its first port of call after being recommissioned to sea.

During the ceremony, Captain Víctor Hugo Molina Pérez, commander of the Training Ship, paid homage to the cadets who died during the voyage. He recalled the accident that claimed the lives of two cadets, describing it as a very difficult situation for the ship's personnel and cadets, stating: "These two companions who went ahead of us have become part of the permanent crew of this Training Ship, and we will always honor their memory."

He emphasized that this type of difficulty reminds all personnel, as sailors, of the need for bravery and resilience, stating that as sailors and Mexicans they do not surrender. He noted they navigated against the inclemencies, reactivating their operations with a 29-day journey to reach Cozumel, while maintaining the objective of training the future officers with final practical exercises in the education of the 164 cadets who now occupy a place aboard this vessel.

The "Caballero de los Mares" arrived at the island after 29 days of navigation from New York, having initially set sail from the port of New York on October 4 for an instructional cruise, commemorating the consolidation of Mexico's independence.