The family of Alicia María Montes de Oca Pérez, a young woman struggling with mental health issues, is in a state of distress after her disappearance on August 21 in Guantánamo. Her sister-in-law, Yailén Columbié, turned to social media, specifically the Miguel Noticias Facebook page, to seek public assistance in finding her.
According to the post, Alicia was last seen around 10:00 am on Thursday. Her recent aggressive behavior, attributed to her mental health condition, has heightened her family's concern. "We are desperate; she has mental health issues and has been aggressive lately. We need your help. Please call her brother at 53399869," Columbié implored.
The call for solidarity prompted numerous comments expressing concern and highlighting the severe psychiatric medication shortage in Cuba, a situation exacerbating the plight of vulnerable individuals like Alicia. "The lack of medication is severely affecting this population. Tea infusions cannot resolve these crises," lamented one user.
A Growing Pattern of Disappearances in Guantánamo
Alicia's disappearance is not isolated in the Guantánamo community. In the same week, the family of Over Luis, a young man who vanished on August 18, also sought help via social media. His sister shared that he was last seen wearing a camouflage jumpsuit, a red shirt, and white shoes, and mentioned he was planning to travel to Baracoa. However, acquaintances in that area reported not seeing him.
The police have been notified, and the family has shared contact numbers, including 54067416 and the U.S. number +1 (813) 244-5943, in hopes of receiving leads.
Escalating Crisis of Missing Persons in Cuba
The disappearances underscore a growing issue in Cuba: the lack of an official alert and rapid response system. In the absence of institutional support, families turn to community pages, Facebook groups, and WhatsApp chains to share photos and information about missing persons, making social media a crucial tool for rallying support and tracking clues.
For individuals with mental illnesses, the scarcity of medications and adequate treatment places them in an especially precarious position, as noted by both medical professionals and citizens. Without proper pharmacological control, disorientation episodes and crises occur more frequently, increasing the risk of becoming lost.
Activists and families urgently call on Cuban authorities to establish transparent and effective search protocols, emphasizing that every hour can be critical. Meanwhile, the families of Alicia María Montes de Oca and Over Luis remain anxious, clinging to the hope that public solidarity will bring their loved ones back home.
FAQs About Missing Persons in Guantánamo
What steps are being taken to find Alicia María Montes de Oca?
Alicia's family has reached out through social media, asking for public assistance and providing a contact number for any information that could help locate her.
How are social media platforms helping in these cases?
Social media serves as a vital tool for families to disseminate information about missing persons, rally public support, and gather leads due to the lack of an official alert system in Cuba.
What challenges do individuals with mental health issues face in Cuba?
The shortage of psychiatric medications and proper treatment exacerbates the conditions of those with mental health issues, increasing the incidence of crises and the risk of disorientation and disappearance.