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Kidnappers Demand Higher Ransom for Cuban Doctor Held in Mexico

Saturday, November 9, 2024 by Christopher Ramirez

The captors of a Cuban doctor in Mexico have raised their ransom demand for his release, prompting his family and friends to seek assistance on social media. The distressing ordeal facing the family of Adrián Pupo Ojeda, the Cuban doctor abducted in Mexico while attempting to reach the United States, grows increasingly dire.

Initially, the kidnappers requested $10,000 for his release, but have since increased their demands, according to a report by Cubanet. After his family and friends managed to gather $5,000 through donations from compassionate individuals, the abductors claimed the money did not reach them directly and demanded an additional amount, threatening to torture Pupo if the full ransom is not paid.

At 28 years old, Pupo hails from Puerto Padre, Las Tunas. He emigrated with hopes of finding better opportunities and providing a more dignified life for his family, especially his young child. He arrived in Mexico with the assistance of a "coyote" who guided him to Tapachula, Chiapas, where his relatives received a video confirming his presence in Mexican territory.

Yet, before continuing his journey north, he was kidnapped by a criminal gang that has since maintained contact with his family through calls and video messages from Pupo's own phone, demanding a hefty ransom. Overwhelmed and lacking the resources to meet the new amount, Pupo's family has turned to social media in hopes of raising the necessary funds.

The Community's Plea for Help

The situation was first brought to light by Cuban journalist Mario Pentón, who shared a heart-wrenching video of Pupo's parents begging the kidnappers for their son's release. Dariannis Méndez, a close friend of Pupo, has been instrumental in organizing donations in the United States and expressed her frustration at the insufficient progress in freeing her friend.

"They're toying with this young man's life, and we, his friends and family, are deeply worried about him," Méndez lamented. Meanwhile, Pupo's wife remains in Cuba.

The Perils of Seeking a Better Life

This case highlights the vulnerability of Cuban migrants, among others, who become targets for criminal groups in Mexico, viewing them as a source of revenue. The journey to the United States has turned into a perilous path for those escaping the crisis in Cuba, facing the threat of kidnapping and extortion by criminal organizations along the way.

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