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The family of Evangelio Rafael Batista Montero, an elderly man known as "Fello," reported his disappearance on social media this Saturday after he arrived at the national bus terminal in Havana.
His acquaintances informed in the Facebook group "Bus Drivers Forever" that Fello left last Wednesday from Holguín to the Cuban capital, and there has been no news of him since his arrival.
According to the testimony of his great-niece, Darleny Nashlie Zaldívar Escalona, the man arrived in Havana with the intention of taking a bus back to Holguín.
However, he never addressed the return transportation, and since then, the family has tried, unsuccessfully, to contact the bus terminals for information.
“He is an elderly person, is ill, and is deaf. No family member knows his whereabouts in Havana,” Darleny wrote on social media, where she sought help from the community.
The family is seeking the help of drivers and citizens to find Evangelio. They are asking that anyone with information or leads on his whereabouts should share that information and contact the number 51436380.
Fello's health is a significant concern for the family, as his medical conditions and hearing impairment hinder his ability to communicate and navigate in an unfamiliar environment.
One of the aspects that causes the family the most distress is the lack of response from the authorities or those in charge of the bus terminals.
According to Zaldívar, “we call the terminals and they don’t answer the phone,” which has complicated search efforts and led to criticism regarding the management of such situations.
Requests for help on social media to locate missing relatives are common, as are complaints about the Cuban regime's inaction in these cases.
A family from the San Miguel del Padrón municipality urgently requests help to locate María Elena Cuéllar, a 68-year-old woman who has been missing since last Saturday in Havana.
According to her sister Odalys Cuéllar, María Elena was last seen at her residence on Calle C No. 12, Reparto Merceditas, in the San Francisco de Paula neighborhood.
The family states that the woman suffers from a nerve condition and usually dresses in white.
Similarly, relatives of a Cuban identified as Odey Gamboa Batista, a resident of Cruces, Cienfuegos, have sought help on social media to locate him after several days without knowing his whereabouts.
According to his sister, Elizabeth Abad Fernández, on Facebook, Odey, 44 years old, has not returned home for three days and no one has seen him.
Frequently Asked Questions about Disappearances in Cuba
Who is Evangelio Rafael Batista Montero and what is known about his disappearance?
Evangelio Rafael Batista Montero, known as "Fello," is an elderly man who disappeared after arriving at the national bus terminal in Havana. His family has not heard from him since he arrived in Havana and did not board the transportation back to Holguín. Fello is deaf and has health issues, which complicates his situation and is particularly concerning for his relatives.
How is the Cuban government responding to the disappearances?
Families of missing persons in Cuba often criticize the government's inaction, as there is no official state channel to manage cases of disappearance. The lack of response from authorities and those responsible for bus terminals has complicated the search for Fello Batista and other similar cases.
Why are social media important in the search for missing persons in Cuba?
Social media is a crucial tool for searching for missing persons in Cuba due to the lack of official channels provided by the government. Families and friends turn to platforms like Facebook to spread alerts and seek community assistance in their efforts to locate their loved ones.
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