Carlos Manuel Chacón Gómez, a 79-year-old Cuban man who had been missing in Havana, was found safe this Sunday, his daughter confirmed on social media. "Thanks to everyone who helped me share. My father has been found," she wrote on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the assistance she received in locating him.
The elderly man, who suffers from Alzheimer's and has a limp, was last seen on Saturday at the Palatino terminal, where he arrived around 3:53 p.m. on the A-81 route. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white shirt with blue stripes, blue pants, a black cap, and glasses.
Reports of missing elderly individuals in Cuba have become increasingly frequent in recent months, as well as the publication of pleas for help on social media to gather information. This comes amid a context of growing violence in the country. Some of these pleas end on a positive note when the missing person is found.
In May, Juan Gallo Bell, a 75-year-old man who had been missing since May 23 in Santiago de Cuba, was found safe. He was found in stable condition, though he appeared scared. Recently, another Cuban, Félix Rojas Pérez, who had been missing for a year and is hearing impaired, was found alive, bringing relief to his family.
"According to our follower and Félix's relative, María Isabel Rojas Méndez, a woman from Santiago de Cuba, managed to find him and took a taxi to bring him home," announced official journalist Miguel Reyes Mendoza, known as Miguel Noticias on Facebook. The journalist reported receiving a message from the family member, who thanked him excitedly for publicizing the case.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Elderly Individuals in Cuba
Given the rising number of missing elderly individuals in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers, which may help provide further insight into this pressing issue.
What should you do if a loved one goes missing in Cuba?
Immediately notify local authorities and leverage social media platforms to spread the word. Collaboration with the community can significantly increase the chances of finding the missing person.
Why are reports of missing elderly individuals increasing in Cuba?
The rise in these reports can be attributed to the growing violence and instability in the country, making vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, more susceptible to going missing.
How can social media aid in locating missing persons?
Social media can quickly disseminate information and images of the missing person, reaching a wider audience who might have seen or have information about their whereabouts.