Mexican sailor returns home to festivities after 14 months in Houthi rebel captivity Escorted by locals on bicycles and in cars that awaited his arrival outside his hometown in Mexico, Arturo Zacarías Meza returned home days after Houthi rebels in Yemen released him and his fellow crew members following more than a year in captivity.
In Misantla, a small town in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz with tile-roofed buildings facing a lush central square, a Norteño band belted out Zacarías’ favorite song on Friday and neighbors prepared the carnitas – Mexican pulled confit pork – that the 32-year-old merchant marine had most missed.
On Nov. 19, 2023, Zacarías and much of the rest of the crew of the Galaxy Leader were resting in their quarters when Houthi rebels descended from a helicopter onto the ship transiting the Red Sea.
“A mother’s prayer will never fail,” Zacarías said upon his return home, where residents had been lighting candles for his safe release since November 2023.
“Immediately the captain gave the order that we should surrender and not do anything,” Zacarías said.
