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The uncertainty is growing among the relatives of a group of missing Cuban migrants in Tapachula, Mexico.
According to information provided by the Diario del Sur, four Cuban citizens traveling with Meiling Álvarez Bravo and her son Samei Armando Reyes Álvarez—whose case has already raised alarm on social media—have also been reported missing.
It is about Elianis, Dairanis, Jorge, and Lorena, who, like the mother and her child, arrived in Tapachula on December 18th and since then, there has been no news of them.
New revelations published by the aforementioned media report that Cuban migrants stayed in a house located on Sixth Avenue North, until December 21, when at 8:41 in the morning they were to board a boat heading to Juchitán, Oaxaca, to bypass the immigration checkpoints.
His plan was to continue overland to Mexico City. The journey, according to the information, was organized by “Chapín,” a man who claimed to know the safe route in exchange for a thousand dollars. However, none of them are currently known to be missing.
The mother of Meiling, Margarita Bravo, recalls that her daughter's last message via WhatsApp said: “Breakfast has arrived, let’s see if we can leave, mom. Kisses, I'll text you later.” Since then, the woman has heard nothing from her daughter or her grandson, aged 40 and 14, respectively.
“Since that moment, I haven't heard from them. They don't answer calls, and the messages don't go through,” Margarita told Diario del Sur with a quivering voice.
From the Cuban government, through its consul in Mexico, they have indicated that “one must wait”, although the news does not arrive to soothe the heart of the anxious mother.
Meiling's sister, Mayelin Álvarez Bravo, residing in Nebraska, United States, stated that she had contacted "Chapín," but the coyote initially provided her with contradictory answers.
On one occasion, he told her that they were being held by the National Guard, then by Immigration, later in the hands of the Prosecutor's Office, or even kidnapped.
Finally, she stopped responding and insisted that she didn’t know anything else. “She told us that she had nothing more to do with them, that they wanted to harm her and that they had taken away her clients. She said she doesn’t know who has them,” says Mayelin.
To facilitate their approach, the family members have created a group on WhatsApp, where they share information.
These cases add to a worrying trend in Mexico, where there has been a reported increase in the disappearances of migrants.
The situation in Tapachula reflects the risks faced by those trying to reach the United States, exposing them to dangers such as human trafficking networks and criminal violence.
The migrant community and their families are experiencing moments of distress due to the lack of information and concrete actions from the authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearances of Cuban Migrants in Mexico
What is known about the disappearance of Meiling Álvarez Bravo and her son in Tapachula?
Meiling Álvarez Bravo and her son Samei Armando Reyes Álvarez have been missing since December 21, 2024, when they were allegedly set to board a boat heading to Juchitán, Oaxaca. They were traveling with four other Cubans, who are also missing. Her mother, Margarita Bravo, has expressed her concern and the lack of responses from the authorities.
What are the risks faced by Cuban migrants in Mexico?
Cuban migrants in Mexico face risks such as kidnappings, extortion, and violence from criminal gangs. Many fall victim to so-called "coyotes," who promise to transport them to the U.S. border for a fee. The migration crisis has heightened the vulnerability of migrants to these dangers.
What actions are the families of the missing taking to find them?
The families of the missing are using social media and media outlets to spread information and seek help. They have created groups on platforms like Whatsapp to share information and receive updates. They have also reached out to journalists and public figures to raise awareness of their cases and pressure the authorities.
What has been the response of the Mexican authorities to the disappearances?
The response from Mexican authorities has been limited, with investigations that often do not yield concrete results. Although search alerts have been issued in some cases, the lack of effective outcomes creates frustration and distress among the affected families.
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