The United States Embassy in Cuba deeply mourned the loss of the Cuban boy Damir Ortiz Ramírez, 10 years old, who died this Saturday at 5:00 am at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, after a hard-fought battle for his life.
The consular representation extended "its deepest condolences" and stated that it joins "in the sorrow of his family, friends, and the entire community that mourns his passing today."
May their memory live on forever, they published on the X platform.
The message, accompanied by a dove symbol as a sign of peace and respect, was widely discussed by Cuban users on the Facebook platform.
Some highlighted the suffering endured by the child, describing him as “a warrior victim of communism” and “another victim of our disastrous situation.”
Other comments express solidarity with the child's mother, whom they also consider a victim of the circumstances. “May God give her mother and family much strength”, wrote one user, while another requested direct assistance for her: “Please, help this mother, do not let her go back, her life is in danger, the dictatorship killed her son and she is in danger for defending and speaking the truth”. Although this comment may not be well-founded, it reflects the ongoing fear present in an environment where denouncing deficiencies can be seen as an act of rebellion.
The story of Damir Ortiz is a reflection of the deficiencies and challenges of the Cuban healthcare system. Initially diagnosed in Cuba with neurofibromatosis type 1 and later with Burkitt lymphoma, the child underwent aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy, which, according to complaints from his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, were administered incorrectly and without an accurate diagnosis.
Due to the lack of responses and resources on the island, Eliannis launched a desperate campaign to move her son to the United States in search of proper medical care.
However, he faced countless bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP), which refused to issue the necessary documentation to obtain a humanitarian visa. The MINSAP's denial was based on the claim that Cuba had the necessary resources to treat Damir, despite the evident shortages and the progressive deterioration of the child.
The situation of Damir mobilized the Cuban civil society, which, through social media campaigns and fundraising, managed to finance a
On March 12, after overcoming multiple obstacles, Damir was admitted to Nicklaus Children's Hospital, where he received a diagnosis different from that in Cuba, highlighting the mistakes made in his home country.
Although he initially showed signs of improvement, his condition worsened due to an extremely aggressive bacteria which, according to reports, he contracted in Cuba. Despite the efforts of the medical team in Miami, Damir passed away this Saturday.
As Damir's family faces this painful moment, the Cuban community, both on the island and in exile, continues to demand changes that will prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.
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