Cuban mother turns to social media in search of her missing son

Maritza Llerena Martínez asked the community for help in obtaining any information about her whereabouts.

Missing man in CubaPhoto © Facebook/Maritza Llerena Martínez

Related videos:

A Cuban mother turned to social media this Thursday in a desperate attempt to find her missing son.

Through a post on the social network Facebook, Maritza Llerena Martínez requested help from the community to obtain any information regarding her whereabouts.

“Please, if anyone has seen him or sees him, call 55690181, it's requested by a desperate mother,” she wrote in the comments section of her post.

Facebook post/Maritza Llerena Martínez

So far, the mother has not provided more details about the disappearance. However, in the comments of the post, some people identified the missing man as Renier.

The uncertainty and lack of information have caused concern among family and friends. It is hoped that with the dissemination of the case, leads may emerge that will help locate her.

This case adds to a series of recent disappearances in Cuba that have raised concerns among the population.

Recently, Cuban families sought assistance in finding their loved ones.

In early January, Daniel Cuesta Velázquez's family sought help to locate the young man, who disappeared in Havana after leaving his home for the military unit where he was serving Mandatory Military Service. Fortunately, Daniel was found days later and returned home.

In December 2024, another young Cuban was missing for 15 days after failing to return home from an authorized military leave in Havana. He was found wandering in a park thanks to the widespread sharing of his case on social media and community support.

Around the same time, the 67-year-old Cuban woman Felicia Gómez Díaz disappeared in Trinidad. She left her home to look for her livestock and has not been heard from since. Her family has also sought help through social media to gather information that could lead to her whereabouts.

These incidents have led many families to use social media as a tool to search for their missing loved ones, due to the lack of effective official channels. Citizen solidarity and the dissemination of information on digital platforms have been crucial for locating individuals whose whereabouts are unknown.

Frequently asked questions about disappearances in Cuba

Why are disappearances increasing in Cuba?

The disappearances in Cuba have increased due to rising violence and a scarcity of resources. These conditions particularly affect individuals with mental illnesses, who may become disoriented and stray from their homes without proper treatment. The situation is further exacerbated by the ineffectiveness of the authorities in addressing these cases.

How are families using social media to search for missing persons in Cuba?

Families use social media as a crucial tool due to the lack of an official state channel. They post alerts and requests for collaboration on platforms like Facebook to connect with individuals who may have relevant information about the whereabouts of their loved ones. This method has proven to be vital in increasing the visibility of the cases.

What impact does the Cuban socioeconomic situation have on disappearances?

The socioeconomic context in Cuba, marked by scarcity and insecurity, exacerbates the disappearances of individuals. The lack of medications, rising violence, and inefficacy of the authorities make disappearances more frequent and harder to resolve. This creates a situation of vulnerability that impacts many families on the island.

How can citizens help in the search for missing persons in Cuba?

Citizens can help by staying vigilant and reporting any relevant information to families or authorities. It is also crucial to share alerts on social media to increase the visibility of cases and facilitate community collaboration in the search for missing persons.

Filed under:

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.