In the province of Matanzas, two teenage girls, Melanie Rodríguez González, 13, and Yoandriane Díaz García, 14, have been missing for over two weeks, with no information available regarding their whereabouts. Magaly Santiago, a Facebook user closely monitoring the situation and in direct contact with one of the girls' mothers, confirmed to CiberCuba that the teens remain unaccounted for.
"It's been 18 days, and there's still no hope of finding them," Santiago stated, having been vocal about the case from the start. "There's no news about either girl, and it's uncertain if they were together when they disappeared. This situation is unusual, and the silence surrounding it is troubling," she added.
Yoandriane Díaz García was last seen on Saturday, January 13, leaving her home on Calle Progreso #1137 with a backpack filled with clothes. Since then, she hasn't returned or communicated with her family. Meanwhile, Melanie Rodríguez González was last spotted at the José Martí School in Cárdenas, wearing an orange skirt, before vanishing without a trace.
The families of the missing teens have repeatedly appealed to the public for any information that could assist in locating them. "I will never tire of sharing your disappearance, Yoandriane. Life itself will show you there's no one in this world who loves you more than your family and close friends," wrote Magaly Santiago on her Facebook profile 15 days ago.
Both disappearances have been reported to the police, yet no substantial updates on their location have surfaced. For any leads that might aid in the search, the families have provided contact numbers: +53 5261 9752 and +53 5945 2653.
Additionally, the independent feminist platform Alas Tensas has guided the families regarding their rights and the reporting process, emphasizing the lack of effective protocols in Cuba for handling disappearance cases. The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) has highlighted the increase in disappearances on the island in recent months, noting that at least 10 cases remain unresolved, underscoring the urgent need for improved search and response mechanisms.
Addressing the Issue of Missing Persons in Cuba
What steps are being taken to find Melanie Rodríguez González and Yoandriane Díaz García?
The families have reported the disappearances to the police and are appealing to the public for any information. Alas Tensas is also supporting them by providing guidance on their rights and the reporting process.
Why is there a lack of effective protocols in Cuba for dealing with disappearance cases?
The increase in unresolved disappearance cases highlights deficiencies in the existing response mechanisms, indicating a need for more robust and effective protocols.
How can the public help in the search for these missing teens?
The public can assist by sharing any relevant information with the families via the provided contact numbers, as well as spreading awareness about the disappearances.