Related videos:
The family of Yoan Cruz Traba, a 49-year-old man suffering from mental illnesses, continues to search for him since his disappearance 12 days ago in Havana.
His brother Yoel Cruz shared a post on social media requesting information to locate Yoan, who is a psychiatric patient, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders.
Cruz warns that his older brother "is very polite, not aggressive". Among his physical characteristics, he specified that he is 1.80 m tall, weighs about 70 kg, and has "Indian skin, somewhat long curly hair with gray strands". The clothes Yoan was wearing when he left his house are unknown.
The family reported his disappearance at the Aguilera Police Station in the municipality of Diez de Octubre since June 5. Additionally, they have sought help from friends, acquaintances, and others to locate him. Anyone who has information about Yoan should contact his brother through his social media.
This case adds to the frequent reports of disappearances of people with mental illnesses, often due to the worsening of their health condition caused by the lack of medications for their treatment.
Just three months ago, Doraiky Águila Vázquez, 48 years old and suffering from dementia, has been missing. She left her home in Lawton, in the Diez de Octubre municipality, on March 15, and her family has not heard from her since.
In the absence of an official state channel to highlight these cases in Cuba, families turn to social media in search of help to find their loved ones.
Frequently Asked Questions about Disappearances in Cuba
Who is Yoan Cruz Traba and what is known about his disappearance?
Yoan Cruz Traba is a 49-year-old man with paranoid schizophrenia and personality disorders, who has been missing for 12 days in Havana. His family, who has reported the case to the police, is desperately seeking information about his whereabouts, making an appeal through social media. Yoan is described as an educated and non-aggressive person, and his disappearance adds to other similar cases in Cuba, where the lack of medication exacerbates the situation for people with mental health conditions.
What measures are the families of the disappeared in Cuba taking in response to the lack of official answers?
Due to the lack of an official state channel to raise awareness about cases of disappearances, families in Cuba turn to social media to seek help. Often, they offer rewards for anyone who provides reliable information. In the case of Doraiky Águila, for example, her family has offered 350,000 pesos and has collaborated with independent platforms such as Yo Sí Te Creo and Alas Tensas to activate the Alerta Yeniset, a response mechanism for the disappearances of women.
What is the situation of people with mental illnesses in Cuba?
People with mental illnesses in Cuba face serious challenges due to a shortage of medications. This situation destabilizes patients, who do not receive the proper treatment to prevent episodes of memory loss and disorientation, thereby increasing their vulnerability and the risk of disappearance. The lack of effective protocols and official channels to report disappearances exacerbates the situation, forcing families to rely on citizen solidarity and social networks.
What is the Yeniset Alert and in what situations does it activate?
The Yeniset Alert is a response mechanism for the disappearance of women in Cuba, activated by independent feminist platforms such as Yo Sí Te Creo and Alas Tensas. It is initiated when there is considered to be a risk to the life or physical integrity of the missing person, especially in contexts of official silence or lack of effective protocols that hinder investigations. This alert aims to amplify the visibility of these cases in society and push for a more effective response.
Filed under: