The young Cuban Dayan Sotolongo reemerged on social media with a video in which he denounces smear campaigns against him and explains why, despite the efforts made, he has been unable to leave Cuba for the urgent surgery he needs.
"I want to talk to you about a situation that has been going on for a while, involving some people who are dedicating themselves to defaming me, saying things about me. They claim that my situation (the illness) is false, regarding what is happening," she starts saying in the video.
Dayan assures that his stay in the country has not been due to a lack of will.
"The first reason why I am still in this condition, unable to leave or undergo my surgery or treatment, is that I have been denied exit from Cuba to Spain three times, where I was receiving my treatments," she asserts.
Additionally, he reports that he was the victim of a scam involving individuals in Spain, without providing further details.
He also explained that the three GoFundMe campaigns that were opened a while ago to raise funds have been closed, and the money was returned to the people who donated.
Responds to those who accuse him
The young man firmly rejects the accusations that he would be exploiting his illness for profit.
"They are saying that I am using my illness to save money, to receive income through my condition. I don't know if other people are doing it with fake profiles, but at least I'm not doing it," she assured.
In the video, he showed the inside of his refrigerator to illustrate his financial situation: "If I were a millionaire, as people say I’m becoming a millionaire, look how empty it is, just with bottles of water."
Dayan states that he does not receive any state assistance due to his health condition. "In other places, many people receive help. The government itself provides support to the sick. (...) I have no assistance of any kind."
The boy asked not to be attacked anymore and that anyone with doubts should contact him directly, and those who wish can visit him and see that everything is real. "I go hungry just like all Cubans."
A 21-year-old young man who wants to "be free."
Dayan explains that he stopped making videos due to the constant attacks. "Many people were attacking me, and I no longer wanted to be involved with that. But now I’m going to make this video to clarify all those things."
At 21 years old, he asserts that he does not wish to live off donations, but rather to recover.
"I have no reason to be economizing my illness when I don’t want to be in this situation. I’m only 21 years old. What I want is to be free. To be a free young man. So I can work, so I can help my family, so I can have a home...." he detailed.
He reports that he cannot work due to pain and physical limitations, and that his wife cannot work either because she needs to take care of him.
Finally, he pleaded for support: "Anyone who can help me with anything, please support me. I need it… I know that Cuba will be free in the mighty name of Jesus."
The sad story of a young Cuban
Dayan Sotolongo suffers from stage four lymphedema in both limbs, a serious condition she has been trying to treat in Cuba without success since her childhood.
In recent years, he has reported bureaucratic obstacles that have prevented him from accessing treatment in Spain.
As previously explained, the Ministry of Public Health has repeatedly denied him the document that certifies there is no cure for his illness in Cuba, a necessary requirement to apply for a humanitarian visa.
With a social pension of 1,500 Cuban pesos, she has survived thanks to the help of people who send her food and money.
In March of last year, he received an electric scooter arranged by the activist Osvany Sánchez, known as "Pesca en Miami," with the collaboration of the influencer "El Explotao" and other contributors.
Dayan himself then expressed his gratitude in a video, explaining that he could only walk one or one and a half blocks before becoming exhausted.
Today, amidst new accusations and attacks on social media, the young man is once again asking for something fundamental: that his illness is not called into question and that those who can help him do so directly, without defamation.
The young man is requesting direct support and an end to the defamation against him.
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