Three days following the catastrophic earthquakes that rattled Venezuela, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) stated on Saturday that they lack official confirmation regarding Cuban nationals being injured, deceased, or missing. This statement starkly contrasts with the evidence documented on citizen search platforms.
Ana Teresita González Fraga, the General Director of Consular Affairs and Attention to Cubans Residing Abroad at MINREX, shared on social media that Cuba is in constant communication with Venezuelan authorities, Cuban associations, and other organizations to ascertain the status of Cubans residing in Venezuela. She noted, "As of now, we have no official confirmation of injured, deceased, or missing compatriots."
She further mentioned that "once we receive official data, we will relay information to families" and provided the phone number 7 8321484 for those looking to report missing relatives in Venezuela.
Contradictory Reports of Missing Cubans
Despite the official stance, the citizen platform Encuéntralos and journalistic monitoring by elToque have documented over 30 missing Cubans, listing their names, ages, and last known locations, predominantly in the La Guaira state.
Among the distressing cases are two Cuban children missing after the earthquakes: Vanessa Martínez and Dayan Martínez, originally from Melena del Sur, Mayabeque. They lived with their father—a Cuban doctor who stayed in Venezuela after completing a mission—in the Coral Beach building of Los Corales, La Guaira.
Family and Public Appeals for Help
A Cuban family of at least six members—Alain Rodríguez Rojas, Teresa Rojas Rodríguez, Raudel Diosdado Rodríguez, Dylan Sander Rodríguez Yánez, Gladys María Padrón, and Yadina de la Caridad Yánez Linares—are also missing from the Oasis Beach and Resjurel buildings in La Guaira.
Cuban artist El Funky has publicly appealed for assistance in locating Silvio René Garzón Molina, last seen in the Los Corales area of Caraballeda.
Other missing Cubans reported on search platforms include Ady Zaldívar (64, Caraballeda), Olivia Hernández Pérez (28, Coral Park), Michel Luis Curbelo Moreira (34, physiotherapist), Arístides Peralta Pérez (58, boxing coach), and Yosdany Quintana (26, tattoo artist), among others.
Impact of the Earthquakes
The seismic doublet on June 24—with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, the strongest recorded in Venezuela since 1900—resulted in at least 920 fatalities and over 3,360 injuries, according to official figures. The UN estimates up to 50,000 people are missing across the country.
On Saturday, a 4.9 magnitude aftershock hit Venezuela, further complicating rescue efforts, which involve 25 teams from 17 countries.
The Cuban regime's denial of confirming victims among its overseas citizens, while families desperately search for their loved ones through citizen platforms, continues a historical pattern of informational opacity in the face of disasters affecting Cubans abroad.
Understanding the Impact on Cuban Nationals in Venezuela
What is the Cuban government's response to the missing nationals in Venezuela?
The Cuban government claims it has no official confirmation of Cuban nationals being injured, deceased, or missing following the earthquakes in Venezuela, despite reports from citizen platforms documenting over 30 missing individuals.
How many Cubans are reported missing in Venezuela?
Over 30 Cubans have been reported missing, with details including their names, ages, and last known locations, primarily in the La Guaira state.
What efforts are being made to locate the missing Cubans?
Citizen platforms like Encuéntralos and media outlets are documenting missing persons, while public appeals from individuals, including Cuban artist El Funky, are being made to locate those unaccounted for.