Eight members of a Cuban family who had been missing since Wednesday, when they vanished at Monterrey's Mariano Escobedo International Airport, have been found safe and sound, according to reports from Mexican local media and the Efe news agency.
"On September 22, 2024, the location of eight individuals of Cuban nationality was confirmed," stated the General Prosecutor's Office of Nuevo León (FGJNL) in a brief communiqué cited by Efe.
The official statement added that "the individuals had been reported missing following their arrival at an airport in Apodaca, Nuevo León, on September 19, 2024." The communiqué did not specify where or under what circumstances the Cubans were found, but it did mention that they appeared to be in good physical condition pending a "medical examination."
Previously, the State Investigations Agency (AEI) of Nuevo León had reported the disappearance of six adults (four men and two women) and two minors (aged six and four), all of Cuban nationality. It was noted that one of the women was five months pregnant.
Family Background and Identification
The Cuban family, identified on social media as natives of Ciego de Ávila, includes Micher Jiménez Echemendía (76 years old); Yosvani González Leiva (53); Yereny Pompova Leiva (43); Onel Juan Samón Reyes (34); Heily Jiménez Pompova (25); Dairon Micher Jiménez Pompova (18); and the children Micher Onel Samón Jiménez (6) and Kimberlin Ylieg Samón Jiménez (4).
According to earlier reports from local media, the whereabouts of the eight Cubans had been unknown since September 18, the last time their relatives communicated with them while they were at Monterrey airport.
Search and Discovery
Telediario Monterrey reported that although the family had been missing since midweek, it wasn't until Saturday that the General Prosecutor's Office of Nuevo León, through the AEI, issued a search notice for the eight individuals.
La Jornada provided additional details about the missing Cubans. The report stated that Onel Samón is married to the pregnant Heily Jiménez, and they are the parents of Kimberlin Ylieg and Micher Onel. It also indicated that Heily and Dairon Micher are the children of Micher Jiménez and Yereny Pompova, although the relationship of Yosvany González with the rest of the group was not clarified.
La Jornada mentioned that the family had been living in Tapachula, Chiapas, for some time.
Context of Cuban Migration
In recent years, amidst the largest migratory exodus in Cuba's history, many Cuban migrants have undertaken the perilous journey through Central American countries to Mexico, aiming to secure a CBP One appointment to present themselves at a U.S. port of entry and seek asylum.
During their transit through various countries, numerous Cuban migrants have fallen victim to robberies, extortion, and kidnappings.