The family of Cuban national Argenio Aleaga is in a frantic search for him after he mysteriously vanished over a week ago in Toluca, Mexico. Both his relatives in Cuba and those in Mexico lost contact with the 45-year-old last Monday following the receipt of some "very strange messages," and they have received no further communication since.
In a Facebook post from the group "Cubans in Toluca" last week, Valentina Martínez, Aleaga's former wife with whom he shares children, disclosed that his parents are "desperate because on Monday they received very strange messages and haven't heard from him since." Martínez mentioned that Aleaga resides in the Deportiva Zinacantepec area, yet his parents are unaware of his exact address. When they attempted to reach him through the phone number he had provided, a Mexican citizen answered and claimed not to know Aleaga.
"If anyone has any information or knows if he is safe (we just want to know he is alive and well), please contact me," she pleaded.
Anais Sánchez, the mother of another of Aleaga's children, also urgently called upon the Cuban community in the Mexican city for assistance in locating him. In a warning issued this Tuesday in a separate Facebook group, she stated that "there has been no sign of him" for over a week.
"He is the father of my eldest son, and his parents in Cuba are going crazy, and his wife there in Mexico is also searching for him. All they know is he rented a place where he referred to the lady as Zina, but beyond that, there is no more information," Sánchez wrote.
She urged that anyone who has seen Aleaga or knows his whereabouts should get in touch with her.
The increasing number of Cuban immigrants in Mexico, most of whom are in transit to the United States, has subjected them to significant dangers, including human trafficking, criminal violence, kidnapping, and extortion by organized crime groups demanding large ransoms from their U.S.-based relatives for their release.
At least six Cubans, including a 14-year-old minor, have been missing since last December after arriving in Tapachula, from where they planned to continue their journey to Mexico City with the help of a smuggler. Three months later, their families remain in the dark about their fate.
Key Questions About the Disappearance of Argenio Aleaga
What is known about Argenio Aleaga's last known whereabouts?
Argenio Aleaga was last known to be in Toluca, Mexico. He resided in the Deportiva Zinacantepec area, but his exact address is unknown to his family.
What unusual events preceded Aleaga's disappearance?
Before his disappearance, his family received "very strange messages" from him, after which they lost all contact.
What risks do Cuban immigrants face in Mexico?
Cuban immigrants in Mexico are at risk of human trafficking, criminal violence, kidnapping, and extortion by organized crime groups.