A woman identified as Jianis Sánchez Páez has been missing since June 14, 2019, in Havana, according to Cuban feminist organizations. Representatives from the platforms "Alas Tensas" and "Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba" activated the so-called "Alerta Yeniset" via Facebook to locate the woman, who lived in San Miguel del Padrón and is the mother of two girls.
Activist Marta María Ramírez confirmed with a family source that Sánchez Páez was last seen on June 14, 2019, by a neighbor with whom she left her two young daughters to visit her mother at La Benéfica Hospital (Dr. Miguel Enríquez, in Luyanó), where the elderly woman was admitted. However, she never made it to the hospital. Although the family reported her missing to the police on June 19, 2019, her whereabouts remain unknown.
"Jianis is of Afro-descendant, with brown eyes, and dental protrusion. She is 'slim and short.' She has a tattoo on one of her arms (unspecified which) that resembles 'a bird's wing,'" detailed the information gathered by Ramírez.
The woman left behind two young girls who were already fatherless. "Jianis had witnessed the murder of her husband some time earlier, also unspecified," Ramírez noted in her social media post. Currently, the girls are under the care of their maternal grandmother, who is elderly and very ill.
The feminist platform "Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba" demanded that the police and the prosecutor's office resume the case with the necessary investigations and keep the family informed and updated on the process. They insist that the authorities must adhere to existing international protocols for disappearances. Additionally, they urge anyone with information about Sánchez Páez's whereabouts to contact the mother at 7693 1876.
There are currently several active reports of missing women in Cuba. Since December 14 of last year, the young woman Karildi Marín has been missing, and her family remains hopeful of finding her. Yoandri Marín, the young woman's brother, posted on Facebook this Monday that "five months and a bit have passed, and we still know nothing," reiterating that she "left home on December 14, 2023, at 8:00 PM, heading to Cerro."
FAQs on Missing Persons in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the disappearance of women in Cuba and what actions can be taken by their families and the public.
What should families do if a loved one goes missing in Cuba?
Families should report the disappearance to the police immediately and contact organizations like "Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba" for additional support. It's crucial to keep the community informed through social media and other platforms.
How can the public help locate missing persons in Cuba?
The public can assist by sharing information on social media, reporting any sightings to authorities, and keeping an eye out for any clues that might help locate the missing individuals.
What are the common challenges in locating missing persons in Cuba?
Challenges include inadequate police responses, lack of resources, and poor communication between authorities and families. Additionally, the political climate can sometimes hinder effective investigations.