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Family members of the Cuban Argenio Aleaga are desperately searching for him after he disappeared under mysterious circumstances in the city of Toluca, Mexico, more than a week ago.
Members of his family, both in Cuba and in Mexico, lost contact with Aleaga, 45 years old, on the Monday of the previous week, when they received some "very strange messages", and since then they have not heard from him.
In a post last week in the Facebook group “Cubanos en Toluca,” Valentina Martínez, the ex-wife of Aleaga and the mother of his children, revealed that the Cuban's parents were “desperate because on Monday they received very strange messages, and since that day they haven't heard from him.”
Martínez said that the missing person lives in the Deportiva Zinacantepec area, but his parents do not know the exact address of his residence. They reported that when they called the phone number he provided them, a Mexican citizen answered and claimed not to know Aleaga.
"If anyone has any information or knows if he is well (we just want to know that he is alive and healthy), please write to me," he requested.
Anais Sánchez, the mother of another child of Aleaga, also urgently requested help from the community of Cubans in Mexico City to locate him. In an alert posted this Tuesday in another Facebook group, she stated that “nothing has been heard from him for a week.”
"He is the father of my eldest son, and his parents in Cuba are going crazy, and his wife who lives over there in Mexico is also searching for him. They only know that he was renting a house where he used to call the lady Zina, but beyond that, nothing else," she mentioned in her post.
Sánchez asked that if anyone knows Aleaga or has seen him, they should contact her.
The increasing presence of Cuban immigrants in Mexico in recent years, most of whom are in transit to the United States, has exposed them to serious dangers, such as human trafficking, criminal violence, kidnapping, and extortion by organized crime groups, which demand large sums of money from their relatives, primarily in the U.S., 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 were to continue their journey to Mexico City, guided by a coyote. Three months later, their relatives have still not heard any news from them.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearance of Cubans in Mexico
What is known about the disappearance of Argenio Aleaga in Mexico?
Argenio Aleaga, a 45-year-old Cuban, disappeared in Toluca, Mexico, over a week ago. His family lost contact with him after receiving strange messages, and when they tried to reach the number he provided, a Mexican answered, claiming not to know him. The family has sought help through social media to find him.
Why do Cuban migrants disappear in Mexico?
Cuban migrants in Mexico face serious dangers, such as kidnappings and extortions by organized crime groups. These groups demand large sums of money from relatives, primarily in the United States, to release those who have been abducted. The situation is particularly critical due to the increasing presence of Cubans in transit to the U.S.
Are there other recent cases of disappearances of Cubans in Mexico?
Yes, there are several reported cases of missing Cuban migrants in Mexico. For instance, Meiling Álvarez Bravo and her son went missing in Tapachula along with other Cubans. This phenomenon has become common along the migration route to the United States, where migrants fall victim to human trafficking networks and criminal violence.
What can Cuban families do in the face of the disappearance of their loved ones?
Families often turn to social media to seek help and spread information about the missing. In light of the inaction of the Cuban government, relatives place their hopes in desperate announcements to obtain information. They also coordinate efforts with support groups and contact Mexican authorities in an attempt to locate their loved ones.
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