The owners of Reymar Moto Partes, the workshop where the young Cuban Eriangel Torres Gutiérrez worked, asked the Mexican authorities to expedite the procedures to repatriate his body to Cuba after the 23-year-old died in a hospital in Monterrey due to severe burns suffered during an explosion.
Eriangel had left Cuba alone with the hope of making his way far from the island. Originally from Puerto Padre, Las Tunas, he had been living in the Buenos Aires community, south of Monterrey, for about a year, where he also worked in the motorcycle parts business.
In Mexico, he had no close relatives. His mother, grandmother, and brother remain in Cuba and are now hoping that his body can return to his homeland for a farewell, reported the Mexican outlet NMás.
The explosion occurred on Thursday, August 6, at approximately 8:02 in the morning, in a building located at number 527 on Macario Pérez Street.
Monterrey's Civil Protection initially indicated a possible gas accumulation as the cause of the explosion, although forensic investigations were ongoing to determine what triggered the incident.
Eriangel suffered second and third degree burns on his face, chest, abdomen, arms, and legs, with injuries affecting almost the entire surface of his body.
Despite his condition, the young man managed to descend the stairs of the building while calling out for help loudly, according to neighbors.
He was rushed to the "Dr. José Eleuterio González" University Hospital, where doctors attempted to save his life.
Three days later, on Sunday, August 9, Eriangel died as a result of his injuries.
His cousin Milagro Gutiérrez Millán then said goodbye to him with a message that reflected the blow suffered by a family forced to endure the tragedy from afar.
"My cousin has passed away, full of life, just a 23-year-old child. An immeasurable pain has been left in our hearts," he wrote.
A family waits in Cuba while the body remains in Mexico
After his death, a second battle began for those who accompanied Eriangel in Monterrey: to ensure that his remains could be sent to Cuba.
The representatives of Reymar Moto Partes explained that one of the main obstacles is the requirement for a certified federal death certificate, a document that must be processed in Mexico City before they can proceed with the repatriation process.
Although they have documentation that certifies them as the young man's guardians, they claim that so far they have only been able to complete about 10% of the necessary procedures.
Meanwhile, the body remains under the custody of the prosecutor's office, and his colleagues have already gone to the Cuban consulate in Mexico to arrange the necessary documentation.
The fear is that the process could drag on for weeks or even months, prolonging the anguish of a mother, a grandmother, and a brother who are thousands of kilometers away and still cannot say goodbye to Eriangel.
His colleagues are raising aid for the family
Reymar Moto Partes also launched a fundraiser to assist the young man's family and requested the support of customers and friends.
We inform our clients and friends that at the checkout, where tickets are paid, there is a collection in support of Eriangel Torres's family. If you are able and wish to help, any contribution will be of great assistance to their family.
Informed the business via Facebook.
The case brings to the forefront the difficulties faced by many Cuban families when a loved one passes away in Mexico and they need to repatriate their remains.
In addition to the high costs of the procedure, there are documents, authorizations, and uncertain timelines that can turn the grieving process into a complicated administrative race.
Eriangel had arrived in Monterrey chasing the same aspiration that drives thousands of young Cubans to leave the island: to work, to progress, and to build a different life.
Jhonari Lugo, who had taken him in at her home, summarized that story and the dream that was cut short at the age of 23.
"The kid who died trying to leave Cuba, just to see the look of surprise you find in an Aurrerá, hoping to get ahead."
Now, after having traveled thousands of kilometers in search of a future outside of Cuba, those who cared for him in Mexico are trying to help Eriangel make the journey back one last time, while his family waits to bid him farewell.
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