Graciela Ramos, a resident of Vertientes, Camagüey, is experiencing profound anguish since her daughter, Dairanis Tan Ramos, disappeared in Tapachula, Mexico, while trying to reach Mexico City with other Cuban migrants.
I need urgent help. My daughter disappeared on December 22 with a group of Cubans heading to Mexico City. She has two children, one 12 and the other 14 years old. I am taking care of them here in Cuba,” said the mother in a video shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón.
Dairanis Tan left Cuba on December 9, 2024, and arrived in Tapachula on December 21. That day, she was last seen, according to testimonies from those close to her, in the group she was traveling with as they boarded a boat heading to Juchitán, Oaxaca, in an attempt to avoid immigration checkpoints in Mexico.
"Chapín," the supposed guide
The journey was organized by an individual known as "Chapín," who offered a supposed safe passage to the Mexican capital for one thousand dollars. However, after boarding the vessel along with 12 other people, none of the migrants have been in contact with their families since.
Among the missing are also Meiling Álvarez Bravo and her teenage son Samei Armando Reyes Álvarez, as well as other Cuban citizens identified as Elianis, Jorge, and Lorena.
The case has sparked a wave of solidarity on social media, where internet users close to the victims have sought help to spread their faces and demand actions from the Mexican authorities.
"It can't be that they've disappeared just like that and that no one knows anything about them," Dairanis' mother declared desperately.
Official silence and rising uncertainty
The family of Meiling Álvarez revealed that the last message they received was at 8:41 a.m. on December 21: “Breakfast has arrived, let's see if we can go, mom. Kisses, I'll write to you later.” Since then, the migrants' phones have been turned off and no messages have come through.
The supposed guide, contacted by family members, provided contradictory accounts. First, he said they were detained by the National Guard, then claimed they were in immigration custody; finally, he stated that they were kidnapped. Upon seeing the persistence of the families, he claimed to know nothing more about them and cut off contact.
An alarming pattern
The cases of disappearances of Cuban migrants in southern Mexico continue to rise. The region of Tapachula, a key point on the migration route to the United States, has become a frequent scene of fraud, kidnappings, and disappearances at the hands of human trafficking networks.
Meanwhile, the Mexican authorities maintain a wait-and-see attitude that is insufficient for the families who are crying out for news.
From Cuba, Ms. Graciela pleads that if anyone has information about her daughter, they should contact the family.
"I need support, help, for the entire community to see this video and assist me in finding her, please. It can't be that they have disappeared just like that and no one knows anything about them," said Ramos.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disappearance of Cuban Migrants in Mexico
What is known about the disappearance of Dairanis Tan Ramos in Mexico?
Dairanis Tan Ramos disappeared on December 22, 2024 while trying to reach Mexico City from Tapachula with a group of Cuban migrants. Since then, there has been no communication with her or the other missing individuals.
Who is "Chapín" and what is his connection to the missing migrants?
"Chapín" is the alleged guide who organized the trip for Dairanis and other Cuban migrants from Tapachula to Mexico City. He offered a safe route in exchange for a thousand dollars, but after the disappearance, he provided contradictory accounts and cut off communication with the families.
How have the Mexican authorities reacted to these disappearances?
The Mexican authorities have maintained a stance of waiting and inaction that is insufficient and frustrating for the families of the missing. So far, no concrete actions have been taken to clarify the whereabouts of the Cuban migrants who disappeared in Tapachula.
What is the security situation for migrants in Tapachula?
Tapachula se ha convertido en un punto crítico para los migrantes debido a la creciente inseguridad, con frecuentes casos de secuestros, robos y extorsiones. Cuban migrants are particularly vulnerable a estos peligros mientras intentan llegar a Estados Unidos.
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