Violeta Rodríguez Denis, a 63-year-old resident of Alacranes in Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, has been missing for two months, with no updates from authorities on her whereabouts.
The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT), which has activated its #AlertaYeniset mechanism for this case, has once again shared Violeta's photo on Facebook, urging anyone with information to contact them via phone at 54882828 or 53121021, or email at observatorio@alastensas.com.
Local journalist Hanoi Moreno Enríquez reported that Violeta left her home on June 18 around 4:00 pm to gather charcoal in a wooded area but never returned.
At the time she went missing, she was wearing a red blouse, gray shorts, and athletic sneakers.
The family reported the incident to the police, but Cuba lacks an official protocol for searching for missing persons or a system akin to the Amber Alert. Thus, the responsibility falls on family members, social media, and civil society.
Her family notes that although Violeta has no diagnosed mental illness, she might sometimes experience disorientation, raising concerns that she may have encountered trouble or is lost and in need of assistance.
A Facebook user, Mara Álvarez, described the family's distress in June: "Her family is experiencing immense anxiety and desperation. Each passing minute heightens the worry of those who love her and hope for her safe return."
The situation Violeta faces highlights a growing issue in Cuba: elderly individuals compelled to enter remote areas to collect charcoal or firewood for cooking due to the scarcity of liquefied gas and extended power outages.
With over a quarter of Cuba's population being over 60, and pensions amounting to only nine or ten dollars monthly, the exodus of young people has left many elderly without family support networks. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security itself admitted in March that there are insufficient resources to care for vulnerable individuals.
The recurring pattern of elderly disappearances without effective institutional response has seen recent and tragic cases.
In April, an elderly man vanished in Santiago de Cuba and was discovered deceased by fishermen four days later.
In March 2024, elderly Paulina Collazo Diago, who suffered from dementia, was found dead in Los Arabos, Matanzas, with the cause of death undetermined.
The Alerta Yeniset—a citizen initiative by Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and OGAT following the March 2022 disappearance of Yeniset Rojas Pérez—serves as the primary non-governmental tool for disseminating such cases.
In 2025, OGAT documented 37 disappearances of women, girls, and children in Cuba: 26 were found alive, six alerts remain active, and five women were found deceased.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Persons in Cuba
What is the Alerta Yeniset?
The Alerta Yeniset is a civilian initiative created by Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and OGAT to raise awareness and help locate missing persons in Cuba, particularly in the absence of official protocols or alert systems.
How does the lack of resources impact elderly individuals in Cuba?
The scarcity of resources, such as pensions and social support systems, forces many elderly Cubans to fend for themselves, often leading them to take risks like gathering charcoal in remote areas due to the lack of gas and prolonged blackouts.
What are the challenges in searching for missing persons in Cuba?
In Cuba, the search for missing individuals is severely hindered by the absence of a formal protocol or alert system, leaving families to rely on social media and community efforts to find their loved ones.