Cuban doctor Adrián Pupo Ojeda, recently freed after being kidnapped in Tapachula, Mexico, on his way to the United States, has issued a stark warning to other migrants. He advises against undertaking such a dangerous journey or, at the very least, to exercise extreme caution. The 28-year-old from Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, shared with journalist Mario J. Pentón that the ordeal was "extremely harsh," highlighting how unprepared one might be for such perilous situations.
"It was an incredibly tough experience. No one is ever truly prepared for such danger," he stated, still visibly shaken. "I don't recommend it to anyone. They should thoroughly research and seek the safest option to avoid undergoing such hardships," Pupo cautioned, stressing the severe risks associated with irregular migration through Mexico.
He recounted the fear of losing his life and never seeing his family or the light of day again, as he was kept locked in a room while his captors demanded ransom from his family in Cuba via video calls. His ordeal was shared with another Cuban couple, who have since also been released. Pupo continues to stay in touch with them, although they remain in hiding.
The Struggle to Reunite with Family
Pupo, who has a wife, a nearly two-year-old son, and parents in Cuba, remains determined to reach the United States, despite not yet having a CBP One appointment. His case gained attention after his parents released a video pleading for his release.
Initially, Pupo's kidnappers demanded $10,000 for his freedom, but through donations organized by friends, about $5,000 was collected, leading to his eventual release. Dariannis (Dary) Méndez, a close friend, publicized the kidnapping on Facebook and coordinated the fundraising effort. The collective effort of family, friends, and strangers alike ensured Pupo's return to freedom.
Rising Threats Amid the Cuban Migration Crisis
Daniela Pons, a former classmate, reported to CubaNet that Pupo was able to send an audio message to his family through a woman's cell phone, confirming his safety, though stripped of all his belongings and without any means of communication.
The Cuban migration crisis has seen an increase in kidnappings of Cuban nationals in Mexico, as criminal groups exploit the situation to extort money from the immigrants' families in the United States. Sadly, another Cuban, Jorge Raúl Avalle Recio, has reportedly been kidnapped since October, with his family in distress after sending $3,200 without securing his release.
The kidnappers initially demanded $12,000, a sum the family couldn't afford, leading to a reduced ransom of $6,000, which remains out of reach for Avalle's relatives. Pentón emphasized the danger of complying with kidnappers' demands, as paying once often leads to further extortion.