The disappearance of a 12-year-old boy has left his family and neighbors in Santiago de Cuba on high alert after he left his home on Friday, April 17 under still unclear circumstances.
The child, identified as Raimiel Salazar Cobas, was last seen leaving the apartment located at S42, apartment 6, Micro 7 in the José Martí district around 2 p.m., according to journalist Cuscó Tarradell on Facebook. His mother, Katerine Cobas Olivares, shared that she had briefly stepped out to get medication following a surgery, while a relative was asleep inside, during which Raimiel left without notifying anyone.
Reports indicate that Raimiel took a backpack, potentially allowing him to change clothes and making identification more challenging. He is approximately 1.20 meters tall and attends the José Manuel Isla Special School in Santiago de Cuba.
Family's Initial Suspicions and Father's Account
The family initially suspected he might have gone to his father's residence on Camino de la Isla 593, Plan Novoa, near the Micro 8 secondary school within the same district. However, his father mentioned that while Raimiel visited twice, he had urged him to return to his mother on the second visit.
Katerine noted that Raimiel has a history of leaving home or school to go to his father's place. The official missing person report was filed on Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 p.m. at the National Revolutionary Police unit in Micro 9, José Martí district, where an investigation is ongoing to locate him.
Previous Disappearances and Public Assistance
As of now, there has been no formal communication from Cuban authorities regarding this case. This incident follows closely on the heels of another similar case in Santiago de Cuba, where 11-year-old Enzo Larduet Rivera, who has autism, went missing in the Sorribe neighborhood but was safely found within 24 hours, offering hope for a positive resolution for Raimiel's family.
Family members and friends are urging the community to provide any information that might assist in finding Raimiel and ensuring his safe return. They request anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to call 51546984 immediately.
Challenges in Cuba's Missing Children Cases
Santiago de Cuba has seen several similar cases in recent months. In November 2025, five-year-old Yordan Corrales Ricardo was missing for over a week before being found safe in Songo-La Maya, thanks to sustained social media efforts. Recently, two-year-old Gael de Jesús Leyva disappeared in Los Cerezo, Imías, Guantánamo, but was found alive after a coordinated search by local groups, the Red Cross, and volunteers.
Cuba lacks a rapid alert system like the Amber Alert, forcing families to rely on Facebook as the primary search tool. Activists note that "posting, sharing, and maintaining public pressure" on social media is the only effective mobilization strategy available to Cuban families in these cases.
The absence of effective official protocols has dire consequences. A heartbreaking example is that of Lali Paola Moliner Bosa, a three-year-old who disappeared on February 25, 2024, in Bahía, La Habana del Este, and remains missing two years later. Her aunt, Valia Zaldívar Salazar, expressed the institutional neglect many Cuban families feel, stating, "feeling forgotten by authorities who still have no answers."
Understanding Child Disappearances in Cuba
What measures are being taken to find Raimiel Salazar Cobas?
The family has filed a missing person report with the police, and an investigation is underway. They are also seeking public assistance through social media and urging anyone with information to contact them immediately.
How can the public assist in cases of missing children in Cuba?
The public can help by sharing information on social media to increase awareness, staying alert for any sightings of the missing child, and contacting authorities or the family with any relevant information.
Why doesn't Cuba have an alert system like Amber Alert?
Cuba lacks the infrastructure and official protocols for a rapid alert system, leaving families to rely on social media campaigns to mobilize public assistance in finding missing children.