In an unprecedented operation, the Foreign Ministry, with the invaluable assistance of other federal agencies, arranged for and coordinated the return of 321 Mexicans from Bridgetown, Barbados. They are all crew members on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
They were repatriated to Mexico City and Cancun, Quintana Roo on two private charter flights hired by the company. Several of Mexico's diplomatic offices were involved in assisting this large group of Mexicans. The Consulate General of Mexico in Miami was in constant contact with the cruise line in the United States and the Embassy of Mexico in Trinidad and Tobago was in ongoing communication with the Mexican crew members until they were repatriated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sincere appreciation to the authorities of Barbados, who authorized the repatriation operations against the increasingly complex backdrop of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
International health protocols were followed on the flights’ arrival at the Mexico City and Cancun international airports.
The Government of Mexico will continue to assist its citizens abroad who have been affected by the current travel restrictions, and calls for them to remain in contact with our network of embassies and consulates. We will continue to explore all possible ways for them to return home and, in the event that this is not possible in the near future, will explore local options while the emergency continues.
This repatriation operation was possible thanks to the humanitarian spirit that the Government of Mexico has had during this world health emergency. Since the start of the pandemic, it has assisted in setting up "humanitarian bridges" and in repatriating hundreds of foreign citizens to their home countries.
