After a nerve-wracking six days, Niurka Botello, a mother from Cuba, has finally been reunited with her son, Rennes Herrera Botello, who vanished without a trace in the city of Bayamo, Granma.
Botello shared the joyful news on her Facebook page, expressing gratitude to everyone who showed concern and provided support during the days filled with anxiety and uncertainty over her son's location.
"Blessed by the Almighty, thank God, my son has been found," she wrote, while also requesting privacy regarding the sensitive matter: "Please, refrain from asking questions; only what is necessary. I will only share information with those closest to us."
She continued by expressing her heartfelt thanks: "I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the wonderful people who called, wrote, and worried every minute, every second, every hour, every day for me and my son. This mother lacks the words to thank each person who reached out at any hour, from both inside and outside the country, and to the other mothers who closely followed every post and those who prayed and created a beautiful prayer chain."
"A thousand blessings to everyone, God is immense," she concluded.
Rennes Herrera Botello left his home on the morning of Thursday, December 18, and had not been heard from since.
The following day, his distraught mother issued an alert on Facebook about her son's disappearance, urgently seeking assistance to locate him. She emphasized that her son typically informs her of his whereabouts, which heightened her concern.
Amid the growing distress, Botello reported that unscrupulous individuals attempted to exploit her suffering by scamming her.
She revealed that strangers contacted her, demanding money in exchange for information about her son's whereabouts, actions she described as a cruel exploitation of a desperate mother's plight.
In her post, she also clarified that her son does not use drugs or engage in illicit activities and expressed confidence that he was in Bayamo or nearby areas.
Rennes's disappearance sparked widespread support on social media, with activists and information profiles spreading the alert to aid in his recovery.
In Cuba, there are no effective official protocols for finding missing persons. Due to the lack of state channels and the authorities' inadequate response, families often turn to social media to bring visibility to such cases and seek community support.
Insights on Missing Persons in Cuba
What challenges do families in Cuba face when a loved one goes missing?
Families in Cuba face significant challenges due to the absence of effective official protocols and state channels for locating missing persons. This often forces them to rely on social media and community support for help.
How did the community respond to Rennes Herrera Botello's disappearance?
The community responded with solidarity, sharing alerts on social media to assist in finding Rennes and providing emotional support to his family during their distressing time.