The international crisis shaking Dubai has directly affected a Puerto Rican family living in the United States. Ricardo Rivera is living through days of uncertainty as he waits for the return of his 19-year-old son, Ryan Rivera Cabrera, who remains stranded in the city.

Ryan Rivera Cabrera, a graduate of Woodstock Academy and a student at Northeastern University, traveled to Dubai to serve as a counselor at the international WEMUN Model United Nations 2026 conference, which brings together young people interested in diplomacy and international relations. He is accompanied by Evan Rhault, also 19 and a student at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Both were left stranded in the city after their return flight scheduled for February 28 was canceled due to the deteriorating security situation in the region.

Explosions and shelters

Rivera explained that although his son and his companion are physically safe, the situation they are experiencing is tense and unpredictable. On several occasions they have had to take shelter in bunkers and basements while explosions are heard in the distance.

“We talk with them regularly. Communication has been open. They are physically fine, but they tell me they’ve heard explosions and that several times they’ve been woken up at night and told to go down to take shelter,” the father said.

The hotel where they are staying has allowed them to remain there while the emergency continues. However, Rivera insists that the real solution is getting out of the conflict area.

“My son can hear the explosions and see detonations in the distance. He’s in a coastal area, so they’re experiencing all of this very closely,” he explained.

Evacuations for some, waiting for others

The situation became even more difficult when evacuations began for other conference participants. The organization coordinating the event is of Italian origin, and when conditions worsened, the Italian government sent a plane to repatriate its citizens.

But the American students were not allowed to board that flight.

“Literally on Sunday the Italian government came to pick up all the participants who had Italian nationality. It was evaluated whether the two of them could leave with them, but since they are not Italian citizens they couldn’t,” Rivera explained.

Since then, the families have been reaching out to U.S. authorities to try to secure their evacuation. According to Rivera, they have managed to contact congress members, senators, and government offices, but the response has not yet been translated into a concrete plan.

“The State Department has issued many advisories saying citizens should leave the area, but at the moment there is no clear plan to go get them,” he said.

They have also contacted authorities in Puerto Rico through the Office of the Resident Commissioner in Washington, but because the students are not residents of Puerto Rico, they were told that the office cannot intervene directly in their case.

The young men have completed all required registrations, including the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and have submitted the documentation requested by authorities. Still, they continue waiting.

“They’ve even recommended that we try to get a private flight so they can leave the country. We’ve been told that at this time there are no plans to go to Dubai,” he added.

A father’s anguish from afar

While his son searches for a way out, Rivera follows every news update with concern from the United States. Amid the uncertainty, the family is trying to remain calm and project strength to the young men.

“As a father you feel an incredible mix of emotions. But what we are trying to do is stay positive and strong so they can stay that way too,” he said.

The student, who is pursuing pre-medical studies and hopes to become a psychiatrist, travelled to the conference to offer talks about mental health and youth leadership.

“I told him this is also a life experience. He wants to work with teenagers who have experienced trauma, and this will give him a perspective that few people have,” his father said.

Meanwhile, the students continue trying to board flights that would take them away from the conflict zone. Some flights have been canceled while others remain uncertain. Their goal is to first reach a neutral country and from there connect to the United States.

For now, Rivera and his family remain hopeful that the call they are waiting for will soon arrive.

“We just want to know they are safe and on their way home,” he concluded.