Cuban independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta has publicly appealed for help in finding his sister, Leodania Mayeta, with whom he has lost contact for over a year. Through social media, Mayeta, who resides in the United States, shared that the last known information indicates that his sister is living in Havana with their mother, who works as a nurse.
Mayeta is reaching out to anyone who might know his sister or have any information about her whereabouts to assist him in reestablishing contact. He has also requested that his message be shared across various platforms, particularly in pages focused on Santiago de Cuba and Havana, as these are believed to be the areas where his sister might be located. To facilitate this, Mayeta has provided his contact number for those who can offer relevant details and has expressed his gratitude for any assistance.
The case has sparked solidarity among his followers and colleagues, who have begun spreading the word in hopes of reuniting the family. In recent years, social media and digital outlets have become crucial tools for Cubans attempting to reconnect with relatives they have lost contact with due to migration, natural disasters, limited technology access, or crises on the island.
Social media groups dedicated to family reunification have significantly expanded, enabling Cubans both inside and outside the country to support each other in locating loved ones. One particularly touching instance involved Dyan Pérez Yanes, a seven-year-old Cuban boy, who in March 2024 sought help online to reunite with his parents in the United States after being apart for more than two years.
Additionally, following the impact of Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo in October 2024, numerous Cubans turned to digital platforms to find family members who were unreachable due to the collapse of communication infrastructures.
Finding Lost Relatives in Cuba
How can social media help reconnect families in Cuba?
Social media offers a platform for sharing information widely and quickly, making it easier for individuals to locate lost family members by reaching out to a broad audience who might have relevant information.
What challenges do Cubans face in keeping in touch with family?
Cubans often face obstacles such as limited access to technology, migration, natural disasters, and economic or political crises, which can disrupt communication and make it difficult to maintain contact with family members.
What are some successful examples of family reunification in Cuba?
One notable example is the case of Dyan Pérez Yanes, a young boy who successfully used social media to reconnect with his parents in the United States after being separated for over two years.