17-year-old Santiago resident disappears in Havana: Left to "buy gold" and did not return

Yuniel Fuentes disappeared after going out with a friend’s brother-in-law to "buy gold." His family has been searching for him for three days and is asking for help to find him in Havana.

Yuniel Fuentes is missing in HavanaPhoto © Collage Facebook / Yosmany Mayeta

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A 17-year-old young man from Santiago, identified as Yuniel Fuentes Fernández, has been missing in Havana for about three days.

According to a report this Wednesday by journalist Yosmany Mayeta in a post on his Facebook profile, the young man, who has been living in Matanzas with his father since last September, traveled to Havana on April 11 without authorization, heading to the home of a family friend.

Facebook capture / Yosmany Mayeta

According to her older sister, upon learning about the situation, they contacted this person, who confirmed that Yuniel had arrived at their house and agreed to keep him there until his father could pick him up.

However, three days ago, the young man reportedly left accompanied by his friend’s brother-in-law, intending to buy gold on the street, and since then, nothing more has been heard of him.

"She says that when she checked the time, she called her brother-in-law, and he told her he was already on his way and had sent him on a motorcycle, but my brother never arrived," the distressed sister recounted.

The case was reported to the police station in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón, but so far the authorities have not contacted the family, who remain without news about the minor's whereabouts.

In the absence of official responses, the family members have turned to social media to spread the image of the young man and seek public assistance.

If anyone has seen Yuniel or has information about his whereabouts, they can contact his sister, Yanicel Fuentes Fernández, at the phone number +53 50594962.

In recent weeks, several cases of disappearances have shaken the Cuban community, where social media has become an essential tool for finding individuals.

One of the most heartbreaking cases is that of Doraiky Águila, a 48-year-old woman who has been missing in Havana since March 15. Doraiky, who suffers from memory loss, was last seen in the Diez de Octubre municipality, and since then her family has been tirelessly searching for her.

A similar situation is being experienced by the family of a Cuban missing in Cancun, identified as Yasmani Vega López, who has been reported missing for two weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearances of Young People in Cuba

What is known about the disappearance of Yuniel Fuentes Fernández in Havana?

Yuniel Fuentes Fernández, a 17-year-old young man from Santiago, disappeared in Havana after going out to buy gold. He was last seen with the brother-in-law of a family friend, and since then, there has been no news of him. His family has reported the case to the police, but there are still no official answers.

How are the authorities reacting to the disappearances in Cuba?

Cuban authorities have been criticized for their inefficiency and inaction. In the case of Yuniel, his family has reported his disappearance, but they have not received any communication from the police. This reflects the inadequate response of the authorities in other similar cases in the country.

What role do social media play in the search for missing persons in Cuba?

Social media is crucial for the search of missing persons in Cuba. Given the lack of response from authorities, families turn to platforms like Facebook to disseminate information and request community assistance, which has been essential in locating individuals in several recent cases.

What measures can Cuban families take to find their missing loved ones?

Cuban families should use social media to spread alerts. In addition to reporting the disappearance to the police, sharing detailed information about the missing person on social media and independent media is crucial. Citizen collaboration and pressure on the authorities are essential to increase the chances of locating them.

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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.