A Cuban woman with health issues has been missing in Brazil since late 2024, and her family is urgently seeking any information that could lead to her whereabouts in São Paulo, where she was last seen. Jeydys María Ortega Cáceres, aged 42, is reportedly suffering from "mental instability" and has been missing since December, after her family in Cuba lost contact with her. Witnesses last spotted her near Praça Getúlio Vargas in Guarulhos, according to social media posts.
Recently, her father, José Manuel Ortega Fernández, shared a heartfelt letter in the Facebook group "Cubans in Curitiba," detailing the hardships his daughter has faced since emigrating to Brazil over seven years ago, and the relentless search by the family since losing contact months ago.
"It's been almost two months without any news of my daughter. I don't know if she's alive or dead, and for us in Cuba—her mother, brother, and I—it's a desperate situation because we can't do anything!" the father wrote from Caibarién, a town in Villa Clara province.
Ortega revealed that his daughter had been sheltered by neighbors in Guarulhos but, due to her mental state, has not received any medical attention. He recounted that Jeydys María left Cuba over seven years ago with her then-husband, Rainier Macaya, to settle in São Paulo, specifically in the Guarulhos area. "There, they started their lives—he as a construction worker, and she began working in beauty salons, doing hairdressing and manicures. She also cared for children and the elderly and even studied nursing, mastering the language fluently."
According to Ortega, his daughter may have been subjected to "envy, bullying, and blackmail" at school and the hospitals where she worked, due to her foreign status, as she stood out for her intelligence and beauty. Meanwhile, "problems with her husband began, and she lost her career and marriage," he lamented.
Following these setbacks and unemployment, his daughter moved to Curitiba, where "her situation worsened." She ended up homeless, monitored by police and social assistance agencies, showing signs of mental imbalance. In a harrowing account, Ortega narrated how she later "returned to São Paulo by hitchhiking (I went nearly a month without hearing from her), arriving filthy and hungry, begging for food in restaurants, having lost her documents, phone, and all belongings."
During her time in Curitiba and upon returning to São Paulo, Ortega sought help from Facebook groups and the legal group "Diaspora Consulting," but to no avail, nor did he receive any assistance from her ex-husband. The father expressed deep concern for his daughter's safety and life, holding onto hope that she will be found soon.
Social media users have been sharing posts to aid in the search for the Cuban woman. A notice posted by trainer Thomas Cabrera on Facebook warned: "She is homeless, without documents or a phone, displaying signs of mental instability," and emphasized that "she needs medical treatment." Cabrera described her as "begging for food in restaurants, disoriented and alone," urging anyone who sees her to contact the Civil Police or CREAS, the Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance, which offers free services to people and families in situations of social vulnerability.
In September, the missing woman's father appealed to Brazilian authorities to take action in her case and, if necessary, repatriate her to the island. "I am asking for help for my daughter Jeydys María Ortega Cáceres, who is in a difficult situation there in Curitiba, without work or shelter, has been living on the streets, and her health is poor," he stated in a Facebook post, cited by the news portal Cubans Around the World. Ortega requested that "if possible, public and medical authorities assist, because if she hasn't adjusted to living there, her family in Cuba is asking for her deportation." In another post shared on September 30, her 42nd birthday, he sent her a heartfelt message: "Your family in Cuba is waiting to hear from you!!!"
Key Questions About the Missing Cuban Woman in Brazil
Who is Jeydys María Ortega Cáceres?
Jeydys María Ortega Cáceres is a 42-year-old Cuban woman who has been missing in Brazil since late 2024. She has been reported to have mental health issues and was last seen in São Paulo.
What challenges did Jeydys face in Brazil?
After emigrating to Brazil, Jeydys faced challenges including potential bullying and blackmail due to her foreign status, marital problems, unemployment, and eventually homelessness, exacerbated by mental health issues.
How can people help in finding her?
People who see Jeydys are urged to contact the Civil Police or CREAS, and social media users are sharing posts to raise awareness and aid in the search.