Violeta Rodríguez Denis, a 63-year-old resident of Alacranes in the Unión de Reyes municipality of Matanzas, has been missing for five days. She left her home on June 18, around 4:00 p.m., heading into a forested area in search of charcoal and has not returned.
The alert was initially shared on Facebook by local journalist Hanoi Moreno Enriquez and further amplified by the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas (OGAT), which activated its #AlertaYeniset mechanism for this case.
At the time of her disappearance, Violeta was wearing a red blouse, gray shorts, and sneakers.
Concerns for Her Safety
Her family notes that while she has no diagnosed mental illness, "she may sometimes experience some disorientation, leading them to fear she might have encountered trouble or is lost and in need of assistance."
Anyone with information about Violeta's whereabouts is urged to call 54882828 or 53121021.
"Her family is experiencing immense anguish and desperation. With each passing minute, the concern of her loved ones for her safe return grows," shared Facebook user Mara Alvarez.
Reflecting a Larger Crisis
Violeta's case is not an isolated incident; it underscores the severe energy crisis that the Cuban regime has imposed on its people. Due to the scarcity of liquefied gas and electricity, millions of Cubans have reverted to cooking with charcoal or wood, reminiscent of the hardships during the Special Period of the 1990s.
Senior citizens bear the brunt of this crisis. With a quarter of Cuba's population over 60, pensions amounting to only nine or ten dollars a month, and a mass exodus of younger generations, thousands of elderly Cubans are left without family support networks.
The Burden of Search Efforts
The search for Violeta, like most such cases in Cuba, falls entirely on the shoulders of citizens and civil society. The regime lacks an official search protocol, a public registry of missing persons, and an alert system comparable to the Amber Alert.
This pattern is evident among the elderly: In April, Carlos Clavel Camejo disappeared in Santiago de Cuba and was found dead by fishermen four days later without any effective help from authorities. In March 2024, Paulina Collazo Diago, an elderly woman with dementia, was discovered deceased in Los Arabos, Matanzas, with the cause of death undetermined.
Understanding the Crisis of Missing Elderly in Cuba
What led to Violeta Rodríguez Denis going missing?
Violeta Rodríguez Denis disappeared after venturing into a forested area to gather charcoal, reflecting the dire energy crisis in Cuba that forces many to seek alternative fuel sources.
How does the Cuban regime's energy crisis impact the elderly?
The energy crisis burdens the elderly in Cuba, as many lack sufficient pensions and support networks, forcing them to rely on outdated and labor-intensive methods like using charcoal for cooking.
Why is there no effective search system for missing persons in Cuba?
Cuba lacks a formal search protocol and public registry for missing persons, placing the responsibility of such searches on citizens and civil society, without an alert system like the Amber Alert.