Lourdes Díaz Laudinot, a Cuban resident from Alamar, Havana, who had been missing for several days, has been found safe.
Her uncle, Iván Ramírez, announced the news on Facebook, expressing gratitude to everyone who helped spread the word about her disappearance.
Social Media Sparks Search Alert
The family of Lourdes reported her disappearance on Monday, July 27, through a video posted on Facebook by her cousin, Nelvis Durruthy. She described the situation as "devastating."
"My family in Cuba is going through a devastating situation. My cousin, Lourdes Díaz Laudinot, has disappeared, and since then, no one has been able to find her," Durruthy stated in the video.
The family's search poster warned in bold letters: "HER LIFE IS IN DANGER."
The Observatorio de Género de Alas Tensas (OGAT) quickly activated the Alerta Yeniset, a citizen-driven search mechanism for missing women in Cuba, and widely shared the case on social media.
Once Lourdes was located, OGAT officially closed the alert, stating, "We are grateful to everyone who shared and supported."
Disappearance Amidst Violence
Lourdes' disappearance occurred in a context of severe family tension. Armando Lara, known as "El Kini" and the father of Lourdes' children, was allegedly stabbed by Osneisi Torres, Lourdes' current partner, who fled after the incident.
Univisión 23 journalist Javier Díaz reported that "it was the current husband of the mother of his children who took his life," adding, "Violence continues to escalate in Cuba, and the crisis brings out the worst in people. Every day, we report new incidents where individuals take justice into their own hands."
Lourdes' cousin lamented the family's ordeal: "The incident where Armando El Kini lost his life is horrific and sad because two children are left without a father. This also risks her life, and we don't know what's happening."
The family feared that Lourdes might be with Osneisi Torres, possibly in Pinar del Río, the suspect's home province, although this information was never officially confirmed.
Alamar's Escalating Violence
The case is part of a rising wave of violence in Alamar, which has alarmed the community in recent weeks.
Just days earlier, two 19-year-olds were killed in a violent attack at Hanói Park in the same area on July 24, with no official statement from authorities.
Cuba Lacks Official Search Protocols
The positive outcome in Lourdes' case highlights the structural shortcomings Cuban families face when dealing with a disappearance.
Cuba lacks effective state protocols for locating missing persons or an official system akin to the AMBER Alert. This forces families to rely on social media and independent organizations like OGAT.
The Alerta Yeniset, named after Yeniset Rojas Pérez—who disappeared in Ranchuelo, Villa Clara, on March 19, 2022—is the primary citizen tool available for such cases.
In 2025, OGAT recorded 40 disappearances of women, girls, and children in Cuba: 26 were found alive, eight remained active alerts, and six were found dead.
The gender violence statistics in 2026 are alarming: independent observatories recorded 44 femicides by July 27, nearly double the same period in 2025, with a total of 350 femicides from 2019 to June 2026 according to independent organizations' records, in the complete absence of official statistics from the Cuban regime.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba
What is the Alerta Yeniset?
The Alerta Yeniset is a citizen-driven alert system in Cuba for locating missing women, named after Yeniset Rojas Pérez, who disappeared in 2022.
How does Cuba handle missing person cases?
Cuba lacks official protocols for missing persons, relying instead on social media and independent organizations like OGAT for assistance.
What was the outcome of Lourdes Díaz Laudinot's case?
Lourdes Díaz Laudinot was safely located after her disappearance, thanks to widespread social media alerts and community support.