Felicia Gómez Díaz, a 67-year-old woman from Trinidad, Cuba, has been missing for 20 days as of this Wednesday, leaving her family in relentless pursuit of her whereabouts. Felicia, a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother, left her home on December 5th at 8:00 AM to tend to her cows and has not been seen since. She has lived for four decades on a family-owned farm in the small village of La Ermita, located on the road from Trinidad to Sancti Spíritus.
When she disappeared, Felicia was wearing a green coat, leggings, rubber boots, and a blue cap representing the local baseball team. Her husband noticed her absence just an hour after she left and immediately began searching for her, soon joined by relatives and neighbors.
A mother to two daughters, Yaneisy and Yudisleisy Gómez Gómez, Felicia is diabetic but had eaten breakfast that morning. The possibility of a robbery has been ruled out since the cows returned on their own. "The cows always go to the same place and come back on their own," a family member explained to CiberCuba.
Her granddaughter, Jéssica Cabrera Gómez, has been pleading for assistance on social media: "My grandmother is still missing. Today, December 20th, marks 15 days, two weeks since she vanished without a trace. Please share and contact me on Messenger with any information," she urged on Facebook.
Rumors surrounding Felicia's case have been debunked by those close to her, denying claims that she was found dead or harmed. "She hasn't been found, and there's no information whatsoever. There's not a single lead in this case," a source close to the family told our editorial team.
The family has criticized the police for their delayed response. "An officer came at night to file the report, saying they couldn't do anything until 24 hours had passed," they recounted. The following day, an officer arrived with a dog and claimed that since 24 hours had elapsed, there were no longer any scent trails for the dog to detect. Meanwhile, as the community searched through overgrown areas, officers were seen sitting idly under a mango tree.
After the case gained attention online, higher-ranking officials finally arrived in the village to address the situation, albeit four days after her disappearance. "From the beginning, the entire village of La Ermita and nearby fields, where the family has friends, have united in the search. While some have had to return to work, a large part of the family remains in La Ermita, constantly supported by their daughter's friends. No one has left since day one, and friends and family continue to search tirelessly," stated family friends.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 59996249.
The independent feminist group Alas Tensas has emphasized the need for effective protocols to handle disappearance cases in Cuba. "The safety and lives of women should not rely solely on community efforts but on a system that prioritizes their search and ensures immediate responses," they reiterated on their Facebook page.
Understanding the Search for Missing Persons in Cuba
What actions are the Cuban authorities taking in the case of Felicia Gómez Díaz?
Initially, the Cuban authorities showed a delayed response. Local police waited 24 hours before beginning their search, and it wasn't until the case gained online visibility that higher-ranking officers got involved. However, by then, valuable time had been lost.
How has the community of La Ermita responded to Felicia's disappearance?
The community of La Ermita has shown remarkable solidarity, with residents and friends joining the family in a continuous and intensive search effort from the very first day of Felicia's disappearance.
What role is social media playing in the search for Felicia Gómez Díaz?
Social media has been instrumental, with family members like Jéssica Cabrera Gómez using platforms like Facebook to appeal for information and assistance. This has helped raise awareness and put pressure on authorities to act.