A 57-year-old woman suffering from senile dementia was found alive after being missing from her home since Friday. The Facebook page "Desaparecidos dentro de Cuba, somos tu voz!!!" confirmed that the woman, Miriam Rodríguez Arias, was located safely, though no additional details were provided.
Miriam Rodríguez Arias, a resident of San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, disappeared from Guanabo Beach, located to the east of Havana. Her family reported her missing to the police. "The report was filed at the Guanabo Police Station. She has senile dementia and is completely harmless. We haven't known her whereabouts since Friday, August 23," explained Marian Yin Rodríguez in a now-deleted Facebook post.
In recent days, several cases of missing women have been reported across the country. An 18-year-old woman, Yilena Cepeda, who had been missing for a week in Santiago de Cuba, was found safe on Friday, although the circumstances of her recovery were not disclosed. Similarly, 23-year-old Kiara González, who had been missing in Havana, was also found alive.
It is not uncommon for individuals with mental illnesses to go missing in Cuba. For over two weeks, a young woman named Claudia, a 27-year-old with a disability, has been missing from a community in Baraguá, Ciego de Ávila. Even more concerning is the case of Mabel García Corrales, who has been missing since June 30. The 54-year-old woman from Ciego de Ávila suffers from a nervous disorder and, like many Cubans with the condition, has not been able to take any medication due to the severe shortages in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Persons in Cuba
Given the increasing reports of missing persons in Cuba, particularly those with mental health issues, here are some commonly asked questions and answers to provide more insight.
What should I do if a family member goes missing in Cuba?
Immediately report the missing person to the local police station and provide as much information as possible, including recent photographs and any known medical conditions.
How common are cases of missing persons with mental illnesses in Cuba?
Cases of missing persons with mental illnesses are unfortunately frequent in Cuba, often exacerbated by the lack of available medical care and medication.
Why is it difficult to locate missing persons in Cuba?
The challenges include inadequate resources for law enforcement, limited public awareness, and the lack of a systematic approach to handle such cases.