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The little Geobel Damir Ortiz, who passed away in Miami after several years of unsuccessful treatments and inadequate medical care on the island, is being mourned this Sunday at the Caballero Rivero funeral home in Hialeah.
There, surrounded by crowns of white flowers, his mother and the Cuban exile community say farewell to the little warrior who fought for his life until the very last day.
According to journalists from Cubanet, who broadcast live from the funeral home, activists and human rights advocates have arrived at the venue to mourn the child's death.
The place has been visited by dozens of people, and the doors remain closed, only opening to welcome visitors at the request of Eliannis Ramírez, Damir's mother.
The political prisoner Angélica Garrido and activist Diasniurka Salcedo, troubled by the farewell, did not make any statements to the independent press. Neither could Damir's mother, who arrived at the location in tears.
The woman, who is going through a painful mourning after fighting for her son, requested that no photos or videos be taken at the wake.
The funeral services will continue until 10:00 PM at the Caballero Rivero funeral home, located at 373 W 9th St #377, Hialeah, FL 33010.
Amelia Calzadilla, who recently traveled to Miami to meet with Eliannis Ramírez, told Cubanet that Damir's case demonstrated that Cubans are capable of coming together and highlighted the regime's attempts to discredit the work done by the child Damir.
Social media has been filled with heartbreaking messages today, the day of the final farewell to Damir.
The activist Yamilka Lafita, known as Lara Crofs, stated that her profile will be silent, observing a period of mourning for Damir.
This profile is in mourning, with no posts in solidarity and support for Eliannis Ramírez, Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, Amelia Calzadilla, and all the family and friends who will be saying their final goodbyes to the child Damir today.", wrote.
Amelia Calzadilla, for her part, expressed that many mothers from Cuba and other countries have written to her in recent days asking her to convey their messages of love and condolences to Eliannis Ramírez and Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia for the loss of the child.
On behalf of all, she dedicated a floral arrangement "to express our feelings and unite us in a single thought."
The ashes of the Cuban boy will remain in Miami, where his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, has applied for political asylum.
Salcedo Verdecia, one of the main advocates for transferring the minor from Cuba to receive specialized medical treatment, revealed recently that Ramírez filed a request for political asylum out of fear of reprisals against him for denouncing everything he experienced.
Damir was diagnosed at the age of two with type 1 neurofibromatosis and suffered from multiple health complications, but his condition worsened after contracting a bacteria in Cuba, which triggered a widespread sepsis and ultimately, multi-organ failure.
He arrived in the United States in critical condition after a challenging fundraising campaign. The minor did not die from the underlying illness but from an infection caused by resistant bacteria, worsened by a lack of access to adequate antibiotic treatment in Cuba, as explained by Dr. Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez.
The case of the young child deeply shocked the Cuban community both on the island and abroad, and his story highlighted the shortcomings of the Cuban healthcare system, as well as the bureaucratic obstacles that families face in accessing quality medical care.
Frequently asked questions about the case of the Cuban boy Damir Ortiz
What was the cause of the death of the boy Damir Ortiz?
Damir Ortiz passed away due to an infection caused by resistant bacteria, exacerbated by the lack of access to appropriate antibiotic treatment in Cuba. Although he suffered from neurofibromatosis type 1, he did not die from this condition, but rather from severe sepsis caused by poor antibiotic management on the island.
Why did Damir's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, seek political asylum in the United States?
Eliannis Ramírez applied for political asylum in the United States due to fears of reprisals against her after reporting the shortcomings and negligence of the Cuban healthcare system that affected her son. Her asylum request is a measure to protect herself after publicly exposing the obstacles faced in Cuba to obtain proper treatment for Damir.
How did the Cuban community react to the case of Damir Ortiz?
The Cuban community, both inside and outside the island, demonstrated great solidarity and support for the case of Damir Ortiz. An intense fundraising campaign was carried out, and local and international activists mobilized to transport Damir to the United States in search of adequate medical treatment. Damir's story highlighted the deficiencies of the Cuban healthcare system and fostered a sense of unity among Cubans.
What measures did the Cuban regime take in response to the allegations related to the Damir case?
The Cuban regime attempted to suppress the demonstrations and activities related to the Damir case. Activists who tried to organize masses and protests to demand humanitarian assistance were detained and faced obstacles from the Cuban authorities. Moreover, there were reports of attempts to politicize the case in order to divert attention from criticisms of the Cuban healthcare system.
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