Isis Rodríguez Ameneiro, the mother of Maydeleisis Rosales Rodríguez—a teenager who vanished from Central Havana on May 30, 2021—has raised concerns of a potential murder after receiving a disturbing confession. According to the gender observatory Alas Tensas, a man close to her daughter's former partner admitted that the young girl might have been killed.
On August 9, a man known only as "C." visited Rodríguez Ameneiro's home with unsettling news. He claimed that Maydeleisis had been murdered by her ex-boyfriend, "R.," who had been threatening him to keep the secret.
"C., who is close to Maydeleisis's ex-partner, confessed to me that he couldn't endure R.'s abuse anymore," Rodríguez Ameneiro stated. "He assured me that R. threatened him with harm if he revealed the crime."
After hearing the confession, Rodríguez Ameneiro promptly reported the accusation to the Zanja police station, pointing to R. as the potential perpetrator of her daughter's death.
Authorities' Ineffective Response
Both men were briefly detained by the police but were released soon after denying involvement.
"The police's handling of the situation has been abysmal. I've made numerous complaints, and they claim to take action, yet they achieve little in reality. Following my report, they detained both individuals, only to release them immediately," Rodríguez Ameneiro expressed her frustration.
Facing a lack of progress, the mother filed official complaints with the Ministry of Justice and the Communist Party of Cuba on August 28, but she has yet to receive any response.
Background and Broader Context
This incident is not an isolated case of negligence. In March 2024, Rodríguez Ameneiro had publicly criticized the authorities for allowing those she suspected most to remain free.
Maydeleisis was only 16 when she disappeared near Campanario and Malecón, close to her home in Central Havana. Witnesses last saw her talking to her ex-boyfriend before an older man abruptly led her away.
The family reported her disappearance to the authorities, offering a 5,000-peso reward for any information that could lead to her whereabouts.
The case sparked the creation of the Mayde Alert, a grassroots initiative led by feminist activist Marta María Ramírez, aimed at broadcasting child disappearances in Cuba, inspired by the U.S. Amber Alert system.
This situation unfolds amid an alarming backdrop of gender-based violence in Cuba. Independent organizations highlight the issue, noting that the Cuban government fails to release official statistics on femicides and disappearances.
The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) reported 52 femicides in Cuba as of September 14, 2026, already exceeding the total count of 48 cases from 2025.
Between January and August of this year, OGAT tracked 22 reported disappearances, eight of whom were minors, with four still missing by the end of the period.
OGAT describes its monitoring as a "live record," as a disappearance case can later be reclassified as a femicide if evidence surfaces—a scenario Rodríguez Ameneiro fears might apply to her daughter's case.
Since 2019, independent observatories have documented 359 femicides in Cuba up until July 2026, providing crucial data in the face of the regime's silence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maydeleisis Rosales's Case
Who is Maydeleisis Rosales Rodríguez?
Maydeleisis Rosales Rodríguez is a teenager who disappeared from Central Havana on May 30, 2021, at the age of 16.
What actions has Isis Rodríguez Ameneiro taken?
Isis Rodríguez Ameneiro has reported the confession of a potential murder to the police and filed complaints with the Ministry of Justice and the Communist Party of Cuba.
What is the Mayde Alert?
The Mayde Alert is a citizen-led initiative to broadcast child disappearances in Cuba, inspired by the United States' Amber Alert system.
How many femicides have been documented in Cuba recently?
As of September 14, 2026, the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory has documented 52 femicides in Cuba, surpassing the total of 48 cases from 2025.