A Cuban mother is enduring an intense period of distress following the disappearance of her son in Bayamo, Granma province. Her misery is compounded by the outrage of being targeted by unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit her grief for financial gain.
Niurka Botello issued a public alert last Friday after losing all contact with her son, Rennes Herrera Botello. He left their home on Thursday morning and has neither returned nor communicated with the family since.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Botello revealed that strangers have been reaching out, demanding money in exchange for supposed information about her son's whereabouts. She condemned these actions as a heartless exploitation of a mother's desperation.
"I am the mother mourning for a son who has been missing for four days, suffering in ways unimaginable," she wrote. Although she expressed gratitude for the solidarity and support from well-meaning individuals, she voiced her disgust toward those attempting to profit from her tragedy.
The distraught mother stated that she is financially strained, with her meager income dedicated to supporting her two daughters and covering daily necessities. She also stressed that her son is not involved in drugs or criminal activities, and she believes he remains in Bayamo or nearby areas.
Botello further reported that individuals from abroad, including one claiming to be Mexican, have attempted to hack accounts or bypass WhatsApp without her consent, exacerbating her anxiety and frustration. "Who will stop these shameless people exploiting others' pain?" she questioned in her post.
The disappearance of Rennes has stirred a wave of support on social media, with activists and informational profiles sharing Botello's plea to aid in the search.
In Cuba, there are no effective official protocols for locating missing persons. Due to the lack of functional state channels and the limited response from authorities, families frequently turn to social media as their sole recourse for seeking assistance and raising awareness of such cases.
Amidst the ongoing uncertainty, the mother remains determined to keep her faith and has appealed for respect, empathy, and genuine cooperation to find her son.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Persons in Cuba
How do families in Cuba search for missing persons?
In Cuba, families often rely on social media to search for missing persons due to the lack of effective official protocols and limited state response. They use these platforms to raise awareness and seek help from the community.
Why do scammers target families of missing persons?
Scammers target families of missing persons to exploit their vulnerability and desperation, attempting to extract money by claiming to have information about their loved ones' whereabouts.