Amelia Calzadilla Touches Down in Miami, Unveils Purpose Behind Her Visit

Amelia Calzadilla, a prominent Cuban activist known for her outspoken criticism of the Cuban regime and advocacy for social causes, has arrived in Miami this week. Her trip, though brief, is filled with profound emotions. Through her Facebook posts, the young mother and communicator has detailed the reasons for her visit, while also taking the opportunity to dispel rumors about her future.

Upon her arrival in the United States, Calzadilla has been sharing personal reflections on the meaning of this journey, which mixes the joy of reunion with the sorrow of mourning. "You can experience multiple emotions simultaneously," she wrote on Wednesday, describing how her arrival in Miami has been both an intimate celebration and a deeply sorrowful experience.

One of the most symbolic moments of her visit was her first stop after deplaning: the Versailles restaurant, a landmark for the Cuban exile community. "My very Cuban family felt it was essential for me to visit," she proudly recounted.

However, the primary reason for her trip is not tourism or politics, but rather solidarity. Amelia traveled to Miami to support Eliannis Ramírez, the mother of Damir Ortiz, a Cuban child who passed away on April 5 at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in the city.

Damir, only 10 years old, succumbed after a difficult battle with a severe infection, worsened by medical negligence in Cuba, as repeatedly denounced by Calzadilla and other activists. "The main purpose of this trip is to accompany Eliannis and Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia in saying goodbye to Damir this coming Sunday, April 20," she explained in a prior post.

Calzadilla made it clear that she traveled alone, for a short period, and has no intentions of remaining in the United States. "My children, husband, home, and job await me in Madrid," she asserted.

She also emphasized that she did not receive any external funding or institutional support to cover her travel expenses: "Normal workers in the modern world can afford their vacations through their modest efforts," she wrote, addressing those who have attempted to undermine her journey with malicious speculation.

From Spain, Amelia has closely followed Damir's case. Upon learning of his death, she broadcast live to share her grief and criticize the dire state of the Cuban healthcare system. "It is a very sad day for our people," she said at the time. "As a mother, the mere thought of losing any of my children would not only make me extremely unhappy but would end my life. I cannot imagine life without them."

Amelia has turned mourning into a catalyst for activism. She has stressed that Damir's death is not an isolated case but a reflection of the collapse of the Cuban healthcare system. "They cannot continue to turn a deaf ear to the profound humanitarian crisis facing the Cuban people," she emphasized.

Since leaving Cuba in November 2023 with her husband and three children, Calzadilla has maintained an active, though intermittent, presence on social media. In April 2024, she announced that she had secured a job in Spain, where - according to her - her knowledge and efforts are valued, and with her salary, "I can decently support my family," she remarked with satisfaction.

Amelia Calzadilla first gained attention in June 2022 when a video of hers went viral. In it, she sharply criticized the island's ruling elite and demanded real change. "How long will the people continue to pay for your comforts?" she firmly questioned, marking the beginning of her role as one of the most visible voices in Cuban activism on social media.