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The romantic partner of the Cuban veterinarian Yasiel Adrián Quiñones Alfonso-Ponvert, 30 years old, revealed through social media that the young man, reported missing in recent days, is alive and is believed to be outside the province.
“Quiñones finally got in touch with me. He will be away from the province for a while. He is okay. Thank you very much to everyone who got involved in the search and stayed alert”, his partner, identified as "Milessa", reportedly wrote in a WhatsApp story that was shared in groups of animal rights activists and colleagues in the veterinary sector.
The information was shared this Tuesday by the organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) in Havana, through its official Facebook profile.
In the statement, BAC Habana announced the conclusion of the active search for the veterinarian, based on recent messages from what it referred to as "his current romantic partner," and on the fact that she is in direct contact with him.
“Given that this statement comes from the person who is emotionally closest to the doctor, and who confirms having direct contact with him [...], we consider the search to be closed on our part, understanding that there is proof of life”, stated the association.
In a more recent post, BAC-Habana shared a screenshot of a comment from Chabely Quiñones, who identified herself as the "niece" of the veterinarian, and requested that the search be ended.
"For those who insist on continuing the search. Here is the comment from his niece that she left on a journalist's post about the appearance of the doctor. It is clear that everything must come to an end now. Thank you all.", reiterated BAC-Habana.
The message in question reveals a similar version, with the only difference being that the person who was allegedly referred to as "current partner" by BAC-Habana was called "ex-girlfriend" instead.
"I am his niece. He was never missing; he simply decided to isolate himself without giving anyone information about his whereabouts. However, he has already contacted his ex-girlfriend and told her that he would be away from the province for a while, somewhere with plants and animals. But nothing more. He is fine, he is in good health. No further information is provided beyond what we know, the family. Thank you and best regards," says the text.
In the comments section of the post, several internet users expressed discontent with the tone of Quiñones Alfonso-Ponvert's family. Some even suggested that there is something "strange" about the story being told.
Since the report of Quiñones' disappearance, colleagues, activists, and citizens have joined an intense campaign on social media to try to locate him.
According to previous publications, the young man was last seen in the municipality of Bejucal, in the province of Mayabeque.
Quiñones lives in Centro Habana and worked at the Vetpro Veterinary Clinic, in addition to providing services in the Carlos III area.
Testimonies from close individuals indicated that he was going through a delicate emotional moment. According to their revelations, the veterinarian left farewell letters and had given his cell phone to his sister before disappearing, as a way to avoid being located.
"She is going through a serious depressive state," warned activist Lara Crofs days ago.
The situation sparked significant concern among members of the veterinary community, animal protectors, and citizens in general, who amplified messages and calls on social media.
BAC - Habana initially requested citizen assistance, stating that the young man has saved countless animal lives and now needed help to save his own.
The case was also shared by others close to the young man, such as Luciano Sariol Rodríguez, who identified him as a member of the Lodge Corazones Unidos and pointed out that he disappeared "after a nervous breakdown."
Before confirming the contact between Quiñones and his partner, BAC-Habana had denied unconfirmed reports about his appearance, asking for patience and prayer.
"Such news would not be concealed under any circumstances," they expressed this Monday.
In his final message this Tuesday, BAC Habana thanked everyone who collaborated during the search and reminded that any additional information regarding his personal, emotional, or professional situation will be shared only if he chooses to do so.
"The solidarity and love demonstrated in these days have been immense and moving. The most important thing is that Dr. Quiñones is alive […]. In life, sometimes silence is also a way of asking for help," concluded the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions about the disappearance of Cuban veterinarian Yasiel Adrián Quiñones Alfonso-Ponvert
What is the current status of veterinarian Yasiel Adrián Quiñones?
The veterinarian Yasiel Adrián Quiñones is alive and out of the province, as reported by his partner Milessa via social media. The organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) in Havana has concluded the search after confirming direct contact with him.
Why did Yasiel Quiñones decide to disappear?
Yasiel Quiñones appears to have chosen to go missing due to a fragile emotional state. He was going through a severe depressive episode, according to testimonies from close individuals, and had left farewell letters, in addition to handing over his mobile phone to avoid being tracked.
What was the role of the organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) in the search?
The BAC-Habana organization played a crucial role in disseminating information about the disappearance and in coordinating the search for the veterinarian. Through their social media channels, they called for citizen collaboration and finally announced the end of the search after confirming Quiñones' safety.
Are there other recent cases of disappearances in Cuba?
Several recent disappearances have been reported in Cuba, such as those of Yusmar Duanis Vega and Doraiky Águila Vázquez. These cases have highlighted the lack of effective search protocols in the country, where social media and independent media have been essential for locating missing persons.
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