The family of Yanet Soto Castellanos, a woman from the Isle of Youth who struggles with mental health issues, has been desperately searching for her whereabouts in Havana. Despite weeks of effort, they remain without answers from the authorities regarding her and her newborn's location.
The alarm was raised publicly when journalist Alberto Arego was contacted by Yanet's uncle, Hipólito Scull, on Monday seeking assistance in the matter.
"I'm reaching out to you again because my niece Yanet Soto Castellanos left the Isle of Youth for Havana, and we've lost contact with her," Hipólito informed the journalist. "My concern is that she has mental health problems and is carrying a baby, and the family is worried about their well-being," he added.
Family's Frantic Search for Yanet and Her Baby
Yanet delivered her baby on April 4 at the Ramón González Coro Obstetric Hospital in Vedado. The family learned about the birth on April 6 at 8:00 p.m., and by the time they reached the hospital the next day, Yanet had already been discharged, with hospital staff unaware of her destination.
"They discharged her from the hospital, but they don't know where she went," Hipólito recounted.
In their desperation, the family embarked on a bureaucratic journey that laid bare the indifference of Cuban authorities. Hipólito first approached the Public Health Directorate in the Cotorro municipality, where a staff member named Yadira, in charge of the PAMI, showed little concern and redirected him to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
Authorities’ Lack of Action in Disappearance Cases
Yanet's mother, Tayasmary, traveled from the Isle of Youth to join the search efforts. Together, they returned to Hospital González Coro, where the deputy director and civil registry staff provided support and directed them to the Zapata police station.
At the police station, the family arrived at 11:30 a.m. and were not attended to until 8:18 p.m., after a break for lunch. They were asked to return the next day with an updated photograph of Yanet.
On April 20, they presented the photo and were informed that an investigation would commence. However, three days later, an unidentified officer called merely to ask if the family had found Yanet on their own, without offering any new information.
This inefficiency in handling disappearance reports is not unprecedented in Cuba. A similar incident occurred in March 2026 when a young woman from Villa Clara went missing, and her family also criticized the PNR's lack of response. In 2024, a young mother and her baby vanished in Mayarí, Holguín, under similar circumstances.
Community Efforts to Aid the Search
In all these cases, social media and independent media have been the primary drivers of the search, compensating for the absence of official alert mechanisms for disappearances.
Yanet's family has authorized the release of photos and contact numbers to solicit public assistance. Anyone with information is urged to contact Tayasmary, her mother, at 51796041; Hipólito, her uncle, at 56137540; or Yoandri, another uncle, at 55584576.
"My sister agrees to publish all photos and phone numbers so that anyone who can help us gets in touch," concluded Hipólito Scull.
Frequently Asked Questions about Missing Persons in Cuba
What steps has the family taken to find Yanet?
Yanet's family has reached out to health authorities, the police, and the media, and they have also shared contact information and photos to encourage public assistance.
How has the Cuban government responded to Yanet's disappearance?
The response from Cuban authorities has been slow and inefficient, with no substantial progress reported by the family.
Why is social media crucial in these cases?
Social media plays a vital role in spreading information and mobilizing community support when official channels are lacking or ineffective.