The family of Noel de Jesús Ramos González, a 60-year-old from Camagüey, has been frantically searching for him for over a month. He vanished without a trace after leaving Hotel Cuatro Palmas in Varadero on May 1st, and all communication with him has since ceased.
The urgent plea for help was shared on Facebook by Matanzas journalist Yirmara Torres Hernández, with the consent of the missing man's brother.
Although Noel calls Camagüey home, his brother, Norberto Ramos González, a dentist currently on a medical mission in Saint Lucia, believes Noel hadn't returned to the province since July 2025.
Norberto last heard from Noel on April 23rd through WhatsApp. Two days later, Noel contacted his older brother in Cape Verde. He also spoke with a girlfriend in Havana on Mother's Day. Since then, there has been complete silence.
The family verified with the hotel management that Noel had indeed stayed there and checked out on May 1st. He had prepaid for transportation to Havana, but his whereabouts after leaving remain unknown.
The Mystery Deepens
Torres Hernández noted in her post that Noel was experiencing a severe personal crisis. "Norberto mentioned that his brother was dealing with significant personal issues and had expressed thoughts of self-harm." Yet, he described Noel as "a rational individual, well-groomed, financially stable, but deeply depressed."
After a month of searching hospitals and other locations without success, the family filed an official report in Camagüey.
Turning to Social Media for Help
With no institutional response forthcoming, the family turned to social media, a route increasingly taken by Cuban families due to the lack of state mechanisms for locating missing persons.
The search is more challenging as most of Noel's relatives are outside Cuba. "Everyone is desperate," Torres Hernández stated, appealing especially to those in Varadero or Havana, where Noel was last known to be.
Anyone with information about Noel de Jesús Ramos González's whereabouts can reach his brother Norberto at 50717219 or his sister-in-law Yunaisi at 52084636.
This case adds to a growing number of recent disappearances in Cuba, which have been brought to light solely through Facebook.
Cuba lacks a system like the Amber Alert, designed for the immediate search of missing children and teenagers, and there are no official public records of missing individuals. This leaves families relying solely on social media.
According to data from the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory, at least 40 women, girls, and children disappeared in Cuba in 2025, with six found deceased.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Persons in Cuba
What happened to Noel de Jesús Ramos González?
Noel de Jesús Ramos González disappeared after leaving Hotel Cuatro Palmas in Varadero on May 1st, and his family has not been able to contact him since.
Why are Cuban families using social media to find missing persons?
Cuban families often resort to social media to seek help in finding missing persons due to the absence of official state mechanisms or systems like the Amber Alert.