Cuban woman missing in Guantánamo since August found alive

Alicia María Montes de Oca Pérez, known as La China, was found alive after more than a month missing in her native Guantánamo.

The Gender Observatory Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed the news on Facebook and expressed gratitude for the community support that helped spread the alert, although it specified that the young woman's health status is still unknown.

The disappearance of Alicia had been reported since August 21, when she left her house in the morning and did not return.

His family, desperate, sought help through social media and community pages like Miguel Noticias.

His sister-in-law, Yailén Columbié, and his father, Carlos Montes de Oca Reyes, shared photos and contact numbers in an effort to foster solidarity amidst the distress.

The case was particularly delicate because Alicia suffers from mental health issues. According to her family, in the days leading up to her disappearance, her behavior had become more aggressive.

Situation of patients with mental illnesses

In Cuba, individuals with mental health or neurological disorders face a lack of access to medication. Without treatment, crises intensify, and patients are exposed to greater risks, such as getting lost on the streets or experiencing violent episodes.

Numerous users have pointed out on social media that this situation is becoming increasingly common in Cuba, and that the shortage of medications has left hundreds of families without real treatment options.

"The lack of medications is hitting this population hard; crises are becoming more frequent, and it cannot be resolved with tea infusions," lamented an internet user.

The disappearances in Cuba are increasing

Alicia's discovery brings relief to her loved ones, although it once again highlights the lack of official protocols for the search for missing persons in Cuba.

There is no immediate alert system nor an effective institutional channel. Instead, it is the family members themselves who bear the responsibility, resorting to social media, WhatsApp groups, and civic solidarity to fill the void left by the authorities.

Activists have reported that the police often act slowly, without tracking plans or public coordination, which increases the risk in cases like Alicia's.

In a country marked by violence and the decline of security, government inaction leaves the most vulnerable at the mercy of chance and community initiative.

While the regime focuses on its propaganda, Cuban families face two parallel realities alone: the growing insecurity in the streets and the collapse of the mental health system, which should guarantee treatment, follow-up, and protection.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disappearances in Cuba and the Location of Alicia María Montes de Oca Pérez