Yarissel Díaz Arcia, a 19-year-old Cuban woman from Palmira, Cienfuegos, was reported missing on April 30 in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. Her family has been in the dark about her whereabouts since then.
The Chiapas State Commission for the Search of Persons released official bulletin number 01S/CEBP/244/2026, stating that the last communication her parents had with her was around 2:00 AM that day. She had left her residence at Veracruz Street number 36, in the Veracruz neighborhood of Tapachula.
Yarissel's boyfriend claims he dropped her off at her rental house at about that time, but the property owners insist she never entered.
Relatives mentioned that the young woman had prior issues with the property's manager, who allegedly threatened her.
Yarissel arrived in Tapachula on November 15, 2024, and had been living alone there for approximately a year and a half after being stranded in Mexico due to the cancellation of the humanitarian parole program for Cubans.
She stands 1.70 meters tall, weighs 59 kilograms, and has abundant, wavy light brown hair, elongated light brown eyes, and a fair complexion.
Her distinctive features include nose piercings and floral tattoos on her left hand and feet.
The family filed a report with Mexican authorities, but they remain in a state of desperation.
"The family is completely distraught," reported Niover Licea, who highlighted the case on social media.
"The entire Cuban community in Tapachula, Mexico, and nearby areas is urged: if anyone has seen her or has any information, no matter how small, please contact us immediately," emphasized the independent journalist.
Increasing Number of Missing Cubans in Tapachula
This case adds to the growing list of missing Cubans in Tapachula, a border city where organized crime preys on migrants' vulnerabilities through kidnappings and extortion.
In December 2024, at least six Cubans vanished in Tapachula as part of a group of nearly 40 migrants whose whereabouts remained unknown months later. In August 2025, another Cuban woman disappeared in Chiapas after going to the beach near Tapachula, with no progress reported by Mexican authorities.
In April this year, a family was desperately searching for another young Cuban missing under similar circumstances. The Foundation for Justice documented 1,236 incidents of violence against migrants in Mexico during 2025, including kidnappings, extortion, and forced disappearances.
Nearly 6,000 Cubans deported from the United States have been stranded in Tapachula and Villahermosa since February 2026, without documents or resources, amid growing concerns over the rise in Cuban kidnappings in the border area.
Anyone with information on Yarissel's whereabouts can contact via WhatsApp at 961 238 0198 and 961 688 8668, email busqueda.cebp.chiapas@gmail.com, or reach out to authorities through the official Facebook page cebpchiapasoficial.
FAQs on Missing Cubans in Tapachula
What are the circumstances surrounding Yarissel Díaz Arcia's disappearance?
Yarissel was last in contact with her parents around 2:00 AM on April 30, 2026, after leaving her residence in Tapachula. Her boyfriend claims to have dropped her off, but she never entered her home.
Why is Tapachula considered dangerous for Cuban migrants?
Tapachula is a border city where organized crime often targets migrants through kidnappings and extortion, exploiting their vulnerable status.
How many Cuban migrants have gone missing in Tapachula recently?
In recent years, there have been several reports of missing Cubans in Tapachula, including at least six in December 2024 and others in subsequent months.