In response to swirling rumors on social media about alleged kidnappings and violent acts against children, Cuban authorities have stepped forward to refute these claims. Journalist Humberto López conducted an interview on his television program with Maricarmen Rojas Torres, who serves as the director of special educational activities at the Ministry of Education. Rojas Torres was unequivocal, stating that no such incidents have occurred in Cuba and labeling the circulated messages as false.
Rojas Torres emphatically denied any occurrences of vans outside schools abducting children to hand over to drug trafficking gangs, or any individual armed with a knife kidnapping minors. She even dismissed claims made by parents from the Mantilla area in Havana, who had appeared in a video alleging an attempted kidnapping of their daughter. "All of this is false," she asserted.
She further explained the existence of a reporting system designed to document incidents that may happen in educational centers across the country, which involves various institutions. "There is no evidence of any child missing from their home due to such situations, nor any family reporting an attempted or successful kidnapping at school dismissal," she emphasized.
The regime's spokesperson also spoke with Yaimara Angulo, Havana's deputy prosecutor, who highlighted the legal consequences for those spreading false information intended to incite fear, dissatisfaction, or panic. "When such activities are conducted through social media or other mass communication channels, expanding the reach of misinformation, the law provides for stricter penalties, with imprisonment terms of up to five years," she detailed.
Last week, officials from the Cárdenas municipality in Matanzas also debunked rumors of child abductions in schools, denouncing the information circulating in recent hours as false. "There are no kidnapped children or attempts at such a heinous act in Cárdenas," declared a statement from the municipal telecenter, Telebandera.
The statement dismissed the rumors, which had assigned the alleged incidents to primary and secondary schools in the area, including Cantel Primary, Boca de Camarioca, José Martí Secondary School, and the Educational Complex. Telebandera assured that, according to the local Directorate of Education, "there is no incident of this nature in any of the 61 centers in the municipality," and added that "so far," neither of the two police stations in Cárdenas and Varadero have received any complaints.
The publication also commented on the fear instilled in many parents, noting with regret that some teachers have echoed the rumors, warning family members of the supposed kidnapping threat.
Understanding the Child Kidnapping Rumor in Cuba
What measures have Cuban authorities taken against the kidnapping rumors?
Cuban authorities, including education officials and prosecutors, have publicly refuted the rumors, emphasizing the nonexistence of such incidents and warning of legal consequences for spreading false information.
Have there been any reports or evidence of child kidnappings in Cuba?
No, authorities have confirmed that there is no evidence or reports of children being kidnapped in relation to the rumors, and no complaints have been filed with local police.
What are the potential legal repercussions for spreading false kidnapping rumors in Cuba?
Individuals spreading false rumors may face legal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years, as it is considered an act of creating public alarm and panic.