Colombian man, 23, who traveled to US to get COVID-19 vaccine vanishes in Miami after American Airlines refused to let him board flight home because he failed to show proof of a negative test
A Colombian man who traveled to the US to get a COVID-19 vaccine disappeared last month in Miami when he failed to provide American Airlines with proof of a negative test before boarding a flight home.
Miguel Ángel Roldán flew from Los Angeles to Miami on July 24 before he went missing, Univision 23 reported.
He attempted to board the second leg of his return flight home but was refused entry into the Medellín-bound plane because he was unable to produce the proper documentation to confirm he had tested negative for the virus.
A spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Police Department told DailyMail.com that Roldán landed at the airport at 5pm before a security camera captured him exiting the airport shortly thereafter.
His mother, Alejandra Córdoba, claimed that American Airlines did not respond to an inquiry into his disappearance for almost a week before they explained why he was not permitted on the airplane.
'The anxiety is nerve-wrecking,' the distraught mother said.
A spokesperson for American confirmed to DailyMail.com that a passenger on Roldán's flight - without naming him directly - was denied travel to Medellín because 'they did not have the required documentation for travel to Colombia'.
Alejandra Córdoba, told the network that American Airlines officials delayed a response into the disappearance of her son for almost a week before they explained why he was not permitted on the airplane
Passengers and others walk at Miami International Airport on August 1, 2021 in Miami, where a Colombian national identified as Miguel Ángel Roldán allegedly disappeared on July 24 after American Airlines reportedly refused to allow him to board his connecting flight to Medellín because he did not have a negative COVID-19 test
Córdoba also blamed herself for her son's disappearance because she urged him to travel to the United States.
She had advised her Roldán to travel to Los Angeles to spend time with his childhood friend, Luisa Arias, as a way to relieve the stress he had accumulated due to the pandemic-related lockdown restrictions in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia.
Córdoba said doctors had previously diagnosed her son with mild depression.
'This is very hard. I think of different things and I feel guilty because I sent him there,' she said.
Miguel Ángel Roldán (pictured) traveled to Los Angeles to spend time with his childhood friend, Luisa Arias, as a way to relieve the stress he had accumulated due to the pandemic-related lockdown restrictions in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia
During his stay in Los Angeles, Roldán lost a bag with his wallet, a cellphone, personal documents, and only had $40 left.
Arias said that they decided that it was better if he returned to Colombia and she drove him to Los Angeles International Airport on July 24. Arias took a photo of Roldán, who posed in front of the airport moments before they bid farewell.
Since Córdoba does not have any relatives living in the U.S., the Miami-based non-profit 'Zona 33 Colombianos en el Exterior' has assisted the family in finding Roldán.
During his stay in Los Angeles, Roldán lost a bag with his wallet, a cellphone, personal documents, and was left with only $40 left and his passport and visa
A spokesperson for Miami-Dade Police Department told DailyMail.com that a missing person's report for Miguel Ángel Roldán was filed Saturday. A security camera showed Roldán exiting Miami International Airport after his flight landed from LAX on July 24 at 5pm local time
So far, searches at hospitals and local morgues have turned up empty.
On behalf of the family, the organization also filed a missing person's report with the Miami-Dade Police Department on Saturday and also hired private investigator, Fernando Álvarez, to help with the search.
'It is unlikely that it is a case of an escape, of a voluntary disappearance because he basically had his own plan to travel to Colombia to be with his family and he did not arrive,' Álvarez said.
