Cuban mother reports that scammers are demanding money for information about her son who went missing in Bayamo

A Cuban mother endures hours of deep anguish following the disappearance of her son in the city of Bayamo, Granma province, but she also faces the indignation of being victimized by unscrupulous individuals attempting to scam her by taking advantage of her pain.

Niurka Botello issued a public alert last Friday after losing all contact with her son, Rennes Herrera Botello, who left their home on Thursday morning and has not returned or communicated with the family since then.

In an extensive post on Facebook, the mother reported that unknown individuals have called and written to her asking for money, claiming to have information about her son's whereabouts. Botello described these acts as a cruel abuse against a desperate mother.

"I am the mother who cries for a son missing for four days, suffering like no one can imagine," she wrote. While she appreciated the expressions of solidarity, messages, and calls from well-meaning people, she expressed her outrage against those who try to profit from her tragedy.

The woman stated that she has no money, and that the little that comes into her home is a result of her work, designated for supporting her two daughters and covering daily basic needs. She also emphasized that her son does not use drugs nor is he involved in bad company, and she trusts that he is still in Bayamo or its surroundings.

Niurka Botello also reported that individuals from abroad, including one identified as Mexican, have allegedly attempted to impersonate accounts or evade WhatsApp without her consent, which has heightened her distress and anger. "Who will put a stop to these shameless people who take advantage of the suffering of others?" she questioned in her message.

The disappearance of the young man has sparked a wave of solidarity on social media, where activists and informative profiles have shared the report to help locate him.

In Cuba, there are no effective official protocols for searching for missing persons. In the absence of functional state channels and the limited response from the authorities, families often turn to social media as their only resource to seek help and raise awareness about these cases.

As uncertainty continues, the mother insists on keeping the faith and has asked for respect, empathy, and genuine collaboration to find her son's whereabouts.