A Cuban mother has been enduring a distressing ordeal for several months following the loss of her daughter's passport at Havana's José Martí International Airport. This crucial document contained a Mexican visa valid for 10 years. Betsaida Castillo shared on social media that the passport went missing at Terminal 3 of the airport, and despite numerous efforts to locate it by visiting the lost and found office and filing reports with both the police and the Mexican embassy, she has been unsuccessful.
"I've been there countless times, and I've called, I've been dealing with this for months," expressed the mother, overwhelmed by the inability to recover the document that legally permits her daughter to enter Mexico. Other Facebook users advised her to persist with reporting the loss or attempt to transfer the visa to a new passport. However, Castillo clarified that such a transfer is impossible: "The visa is unique, if you lose it, there is no duplicate. You have to redo everything."
Challenges of Recovering Lost Travel Documents
This situation highlights the significant vulnerability that Cubans face when they lose travel documents, especially in a context where obtaining a visa is exceedingly difficult. Castillo's desperation also underscores the bureaucratic hurdles encountered by those who must restart the process, incurring high economic and emotional costs.
Such incidents are not uncommon. In July 2024, a young woman from Mayabeque lost her passport with a visa and offered a reward in dollars for its return. Months later, in May 2025, another family promised 100,000 Cuban pesos for the lost American residency of a four-year-old girl. These cases demonstrate how many families, faced with urgency and a lack of institutional solutions, turn to community support and even financial incentives.
A Public Appeal for Help
Castillo has circulated a photograph of the lost passport and included her contact information on social media to seek assistance. Although she acknowledges the slim chance of recoverability, she hopes that someone might have found and returned it. Her appeal resonates with hundreds of Cubans both on and off the island who understand the difficulty of losing not just a passport, but also the opportunity to travel, reunite with family, or seek a better future beyond Cuba.
FAQs on Lost Cuban Passports and Visas
What should you do if you lose your passport with a visa in Cuba?
If you lose your passport with a visa in Cuba, report the loss immediately to the airport's lost and found, notify the police, and contact the relevant embassy. It is crucial to begin the replacement process as soon as possible.
Can a lost visa be transferred to a new passport in Cuba?
No, a lost visa cannot be transferred to a new passport. You must apply for a new visa, as they are issued uniquely and cannot be duplicated.
How can Cuban families recover lost documents?
Cuban families often rely on community support, social media, and offering rewards due to the limited institutional solutions available for recovering lost documents.