The family of Abel Paneque Pérez, a 17-year-old boy, is experiencing intense anxiety and distress following his disappearance during a journey to Sancti Spíritus.
Abel departed from his home in Guisa on Tuesday, having secured a seat on the bus traveling the route from Santiago de Cuba to Cienfuegos, with Sancti Spíritus as his final destination. Unfortunately, he never arrived, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
His worried relatives have reached out to the public for assistance in locating him, urging anyone with even the slightest information to contact the phone numbers 58584103 or 51603518 immediately.
"Help by spreading the word. Every minute counts," urged his cousin Kenia Pérez in the Facebook group "Revolico Cabaiguan 2025 sales and purchases."
The community has rallied to disseminate the information, with numerous posts appearing in other Facebook groups, sharing details and photos of the missing teenager.
Potential Clues from the Bus Journey
Several users have suggested interviewing the drivers of the bus Abel traveled on, as they might provide crucial information.
"The driver should know where he got off because they keep track of that. At each terminal, they check if all passengers are present before continuing. Additionally, the person sitting next to him should also know," stated a resident from Santiago.
Others speculated that perhaps the boy temporarily got off the bus and missed it.
Clarifying Misunderstandings
Some users mistakenly claimed that Abel had been found, confusing his case with that of a young recruit who was reported missing after leaving for his military unit in Holguín and was found safe days later.
Kenia Pérez clarified the mix-up, confirming that her cousin Abel remains missing.
A Broader Social Concern
Abel's disappearance highlights a troubling trend where families are forced to take on the responsibility of searching and communicating, revealing the inadequacy of official systems in handling missing person emergencies.
Many affected by such incidents criticize the absence of an effective state mechanism for locating missing individuals.
Although the police are tasked with taking action, the reality is that processes are slow and inefficient, leaving families and friends to turn to social media as a last resort to enlist civil society's help in finding their loved ones.
Abel's family stresses the importance of any detail that could aid in locating him, urging for widespread sharing of information to enhance the chances of his recovery.
The community remains active on social networks, hoping that collective effort can succeed where official institutions have failed: finding the 17-year-old before more critical hours slip away.
Key Questions About Abel's Disappearance
What can people do to help locate Abel Paneque Pérez?
People can assist by sharing information and images of Abel on social media and contacting the provided phone numbers with any potential leads.
What challenges do families face when a loved one goes missing in Cuba?
Families often encounter slow and inefficient responses from official channels, forcing them to rely on social media and public support to locate missing relatives.