Senator Ted Cruz travels to Cancun while millions in Texas are without power

Photos on social networks show Ted Cruz on a walk in the middle of the crisis 2:12

(CNN Spanish) -

In the midst of the winter disaster in his home state, Senator Ted Cruz and his family flew to Cancun, Mexico, according to photos published on social networks and which were confirmed to CNN by a person with knowledge of the itinerary.

Multiple users on Twitter used the photos to show Cruz and his family at the Houston airport and on board a flight to Cancun, Mexico.

The same person with knowledge of this trip confirmed to CNN that Cruz has scheduled a trip back to Houston from Cancun this Thursday afternoon.

LOOK: Ted Cruz, in the eye of the hurricane for a trip to Cancun while Texas freezes

The trip was immediately criticized, including by Texas State Senator Gene Wu, who represents Southwest Houston, and who tweeted a photo of Cruz aboard the flight, criticizing him for traveling south "while the state is freezing until death and having to boil the water ”.

Senator Cruz's office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

CNN has contacted Cruz's office on multiple occasions by phone, as well as people close to the legislator since last night and on Thursday morning.

LOOK: PHOTOS |

Stunning Images: Winter Storms Wreak Havoc in the US

Congress is not in session this week as millions of people in Texas were without electricity or clean water at the start of a freezing storm earlier in the week.

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Ted Cruz comments on his trip to Cancun

Senator Ted Cruz and his family flew to Cancun, Mexico, he confirmed in a statement to CNN, as the winter disaster in his home state left millions of people without electricity or water.

He said in the statement that he flew for one night because his daughters "asked to take a trip with friends."

“With school canceled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends.

Wanting to be a good father, I flew with them last night and will be back this afternoon, "he said in the statement.

“My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.

We want electricity and water to be restored and our homes to be warm.

My team and I will continue to use all of our resources to keep Texans informed and safe. "

Ted Cruz was tested for COVID-19 before traveling, an aide told CNN.

As a popularly elected official for federal office, Cruz does not have a role on the ground in responding to the storm, but natural disasters are often a time when voters turn to their officials for help and access to means.

LOOK: Families are making bonfires with baby toys and sleeping in cars to keep warm.

These are the stories of the Texas storm

Blame for the power outages has been largely attributed to the Electrical Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

Abbott said Wednesday afternoon that he spoke with the lieutenant governor and the state president, and that an investigation into ERCOT is scheduled to begin next week.

But in the meantime, millions of Texans were without power or running water in the wake of the storm.

Since the previous Thursday, 16 people in Texas have died due to extreme weather, according to a CNN tally.