Three Cuban citizens, a father and his two nephews, have gone missing after arriving in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, where they were scheduled for their CBP One appointments on Monday. The family suspects they were kidnapped, as they never appeared for their meetings, according to reports from their relatives.
From Colorado, United States, the wife and daughter of the man—whose names remain undisclosed—gave an interview to journalist Daniel Benítez, pleading for help in locating their loved ones. The missing individuals have been identified as Leonardo García Kindelán, Reily Dayson Ruiz, and Rangel Ruiz Ruiz, Benítez reported on his YouTube channel on Monday.
According to the wife’s account, her husband and nephews took a flight from Mexico City on Saturday morning, headed to Laredo. Upon arriving at the airport in Tamaulipas, no taxi driver would take them to their hotel, where they were supposed to stay before their CBP One appointment at 8:30 a.m. on Monday. The family waited at the airport until Saturday afternoon, during which the wife contacted someone in Monterrey who agreed to pick them up in Nuevo Laredo.
However, the situation took a dark turn. The man recounted that as the three Cubans were leaving the airport and got into a vehicle, some men attacked the driver and abducted his wife’s husband and nephews. Shortly after, the husband called his wife to assure her that they were in a safe house and would be taken to their appointment on Monday. "But that was his last call," the wife lamented.
Despite numerous attempts to reach them, the phones appear to be in airplane mode, and there has been no further contact with the three Cubans, who are presumed to have been kidnapped.
"Please, help me, I am desperate," the woman implored at the end of the video.
Benítez highlighted the dangers that migrants face in Mexico while attending their CBP One appointments, citing the lack of security across all border areas dominated by criminal gangs. He specifically called Nuevo Laredo one of the most dangerous places due to organized crime activity.
He referenced a study from the University of Austin in Texas about the risks in this border region. According to the study, approximately 55 people are processed daily in Nuevo Laredo for CBP One appointments, but the security situation is dire. Migrants risk being kidnapped by armed men, with one family’s ransom demands exceeding $1,000 per person.
Several cases of missing or deceased Cubans in Mexico have been reported while they awaited their immigration appointments or were in transit. Mid-month, authorities called for assistance in locating Oscar Luis Marcos Roso, a 62-year-old Cuban missing in Tabasco, Mexico. A few days later, Eric Marcos Reyes Pupo, a 26-year-old from Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, was murdered after migrating to Mexico with hopes of starting a new life in the United States and reuniting with his mother. Another Cuban was killed in May after waiting for two years for his CBP One appointment to enter the U.S.
Risks and Challenges for Cuban Migrants Awaiting CBP One Appointments
Given the rising dangers for Cuban migrants in Mexico, it's crucial to address some common questions and concerns. Here are some key points to help understand the situation better.
What is CBP One?
CBP One is a mobile application by U.S. Customs and Border Protection designed to streamline the process for asylum seekers and other immigration-related matters. It allows users to schedule appointments and submit documents electronically.
Why is Nuevo Laredo considered dangerous for migrants?
Nuevo Laredo is known for its high levels of organized crime and violence. Migrants are often targeted by criminal gangs, making it one of the most hazardous border regions for those awaiting immigration appointments.
What should migrants do to stay safe while waiting for their appointments?
Migrants should stay in well-lit, populated areas and avoid traveling alone. It's also advisable to stay in touch with family members and authorities, and to be aware of local safety advisories and travel warnings.