A Cuban woman who had been missing since Saturday in Santiago de Cuba was found in a hospital, a family source revealed this Wednesday. José Fonseca, the woman's husband who initially raised the alarm about her disappearance, shared the news on Facebook that she was safe and sound.
"To everyone who was worried about my wife, she is now with me. She was in the hospital, and everything is fine, thank God. Thank you all, big hugs," Fonseca wrote.
The announcement brought relief among Fonseca's followers on the social network, although he did not provide further details about what happened or why there was no news of her for nearly four days.
Social Media as a Lifeline
As with many cases of missing persons in Cuba, Fonseca turned to social media to alert people about his wife's disappearance. She had left their home on Saturday afternoon to buy a gift for their second wedding anniversary and had not been heard from since.
Fonseca shared several photos of his wife but did not disclose her name, age, or other critical details, such as what she was wearing when she left home or which part of the city she was heading to.
Many Cubans use social media to seek help in locating missing family members amid a backdrop of increasing social insecurity and rising crime rates in the country.
In Cuba, there is no state-run channel to make these cases visible, nor does the official press report on them. In its usual rhetoric, disconnected from the realities of the Cuban people, the Castro regime denies that there are any missing persons in the country.
However, cases like that of Karildi Caridad Marín, a 24-year-old mother who disappeared in Havana on December 14, 2023, or the three-year-old Lali Paola Moliner, who has been missing since February, cast doubt on the Cuban government's claims.
Understanding Missing Persons Cases in Cuba
Given the rise in missing persons cases in Cuba, it's essential to understand the dynamics and challenges involved. Here are some frequently asked questions to shed light on this pressing issue.
Why did José Fonseca use social media to find his wife?
In the absence of state-run channels to report missing persons, many Cubans rely on social media to seek help and alert the public about their missing loved ones.
What are some recent high-profile missing persons cases in Cuba?
Recent cases include Karildi Caridad Marín, a 24-year-old mother who disappeared in Havana in December 2023, and Lali Paola Moliner, a three-year-old girl who has been missing since February 2023.
Does the Cuban government acknowledge the issue of missing persons?
The Cuban government typically denies the existence of missing persons in the country, maintaining a rhetoric that is often disconnected from the day-to-day realities faced by Cuban citizens.