Misantla, Mexico – After more than a year in captivity, Arturo Zacarías Meza returned to his hometown, welcomed by locals on bicycles and in vehicles who eagerly awaited his arrival. He was reunited with family and friends following his release from Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had held him and his fellow crew members hostage. The small town of Misantla, located in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, came alive with festivities, as a Norteño band played Zacarías’ favorite tune while neighbors prepared carnitas, the Mexican pulled confit pork that he had longed for.
Upon his return, Zacarías expressed his relief and gratitude, attributing his safe homecoming to unwavering prayers from his mother and supporters. The community had lit candles since November 2023, hoping for his release. His ordeal began on November 19, 2023, when Zacarías and much of the crew of the Galaxy Leader were resting on board when Houthi rebels reportedly arrived via helicopter, taking control of the ship while it was navigating the Red Sea.
Zacarías recounted how the captain promptly instructed the crew to surrender, a decision that ultimately saved their lives. He emphasized the need for compliance, stating that any resistance could have resulted in dire consequences, including violence. The Houthi rebels, he noted, communicated their intentions in broken English, claiming they weren’t pirates interested in ransom but were instead motivated by a desire to halt the conflict in Gaza.
The Galaxy Leader, flying the Bahamas flag, is linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, considered one of the wealthy figures in Israel. The crew was diverse, with members also hailing from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine. Initially confined to the ship for the majority of their time in captivity, the crew was transferred to a safe house during the last three months of their ordeal. Zacarías described life aboard the vessel as monotonous, where he fell into the pattern of sleeping up to 12 hours a day. Over time, they gained their captors’ trust, which allowed them limited communication with their families—30 minutes of phone calls each week. Fortunately, they reported never experiencing physical harm or abuse.
Their release was facilitated through negotiations led by Oman, a country recognized for its mediating role with the Houthis. Zacarías shared that the Houthi leaders had referred to the crew as heroes in support of the Palestinian cause and a significant element in the ongoing ceasefire with Israel. Wearing a shirt featuring the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a symbol of protection in Mexico, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to return home, hoping for peace to prevail soon.
