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Biography, verified story facts, archival footage, interview topics, and approved materials for journalists, producers, podcasters, and event organizers.

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01 / OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY

Yohan Badía

Yohan Badía is a Cuban-American author and survivor whose true story began with a handmade raft and an irreversible decision at nineteen.

Born in Camagüey, Cuba, Yohan left the island on April 29, 1994, with seven other young men aboard a triangular raft they built by hand. After four days and three nights at sea—from April 29 to May 2, 1994—all eight were rescued by the Puerto Rican ship Arroz Rico. Yohan eventually made his home in Miami, built a family and a career, and carried the story privately for more than thirty years. He is now developing The Raft: My Escape from Cuba, a memoir about survival, faith, gratitude, and freedom.

02 / VERIFIED FACTS

BornCamagüey, Cuba

DepartureApril 29, 1994

RescueMay 2, 1994

At seaFour days and three nights

Raft crewEight men

Current homeMiami, Florida

03 / INTERVIEW TOPICS

Conversations with purpose.

Surviving four days and three nights at sea on a handmade raft
Growing up under Cuba's communist system
Faith, fear, and brotherhood during the escape
Starting over in America at nineteen
Freedom, gratitude, and the immigrant experience
Turning lived experience into a memoir and documentary project

04 / ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE

The rescue on May 2, 1994.

Rescue and original video footage courtesy of the captain and crew of the Arroz Rico. Please contact Yohan before reproducing or rebroadcasting this footage.

MAY 2, 1994 · IN SEQUENCE

The rescue, frame by frame.

Original stills from the rescue footage, arranged in story order.

The distant raft spotted from the Arroz Rico — 01Spotted at seaThe distant white point is the raft coming into view.

The handmade raft spotted at sea on May 2, 1994 — 02Closer to FreedomThe handmade raft is sighted in open water.

The handmade raft alongside the Arroz Rico — 03The Rope of SalvationThe raft reaches the side of the *Arroz Rico*.

Men signaling from the raft as rescue begins — 04Victory Within ReachThe men signal from the raft as help arrives.

The handmade raft lifted aboard the Arroz Rico — 05The Raft That Carried UsThe handmade raft is lifted aboard after the rescue.

Survivors safe on the deck of the Arroz Rico — 06The First Taste of FreedomThe survivors gather aboard the *Arroz Rico*.

The survivors waving from the Arroz Rico after arriving in Puerto Rico — 07Puerto Rico: Our First Shore of FreedomThe men arrive safely in Puerto Rico after the rescue.

BOOK · DOCUMENTARY · SPEAKING · PRESS

Request an interview or additional materials.

yohanbadia@theraftstory.com