The urgent search for Noguella Lezcano Milián, an 80-year-old who vanished in Havana on August 16, has escalated into a frantic race against time. Her family has intensified their pleas for assistance through social media and on the streets of the Cuban capital. Her granddaughter, Lisandra García, shared a heartfelt message, urging empathy: "Please, I come with my heart in my hands, asking everyone to put themselves in my place. We need to find my grandmother! She's been away from home for many days now..."
Known affectionately as "La Gallega," Noguella stands at 1.50 meters, has striking blue eyes, short hair, and suffers from both epilepsy and dementia, increasing the urgency of her situation. The family is uncertain about the clothes she was wearing when she left her home in San Miguel del Padrón (La Cuevita). She was reportedly last seen in Wajay and the Reparto Bahía area, according to neighbors who were unaware she was missing.
In their desperation, the family has offered a $200 reward for any information leading to her whereabouts. Posters featuring her details and photographs have been distributed across streets, churches, and hospitals in the city. "If someone sees her, please contact us immediately. She may appear dirty and disoriented, but remember, she has been away from home for a long time," her granddaughter implored. The contact numbers are +53 58171805 and +53 55381553.
Growing List of Missing Women in Cuba
Noguella's disappearance adds to a concerning trend of missing women in Cuba, including the unresolved cases of Maydeleisis Rosales Rodríguez (missing for over four years in Centro Habana), Karildi Caridad Marín (25, missing in 2023), Esperanza Cabrera Melvin (75, vanished in December 2024 in Matanzas), and Doraiky Águila Vázquez (48, disappeared in March in Havana).
Feminist organizations like the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) have initiated the "Alerta Yeniset," intended to raise awareness about the disappearances of women on the island. These groups criticize the lack of official protocols and state mechanisms for locating missing persons in Cuba, leaving families reliant solely on social media, independent media outlets, and community solidarity.
Urgent Questions About Missing Persons in Cuba
What are the challenges faced by families of missing persons in Cuba?
Families of missing persons in Cuba face significant challenges due to the absence of official search protocols and state support. They often rely on social media, independent journalism, and community assistance to find their loved ones.
How can the public help in the search for Noguella Lezcano Milián?
The public can assist by spreading awareness through social media and contacting the family directly if they have any information. Additionally, keeping an eye out for Noguella and reporting sightings can aid in the search efforts.
What is the "Alerta Yeniset"?
The "Alerta Yeniset" is an initiative by feminist organizations in Cuba to bring attention to the cases of missing women, highlighting the lack of formal mechanisms to address these disappearances.