Shortly after arriving in the United States, Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla made her first stop in Miami to visit Eliannis Ramírez, the mother of Damir Ortiz, a young Cuban boy who passed away on April 5 after battling a long illness. Calzadilla shared the poignant details of this meeting in an interview with CiberCuba.
"The initial visit I made in this country was to Diasniurka and Eliannis; I went straight to see them," Calzadilla explained, noting the immense grief felt by Eliannis. "There are no words to describe her feelings," she emphasized.
An Embrace Amidst Sorrow
Amelia wanted to personally extend the support of the Cuban people, both on the island and abroad, to Damir's mother. "I gave her a hug and said, 'Believe me, many people have you in their prayers and thoughts,'" Calzadilla recounted. Despite the overwhelming sorrow, she admired Eliannis's strength. "She is an incredibly strong woman; it was impressive to see her have the coherence to talk to me about her feelings," she remarked.
Calzadilla mentioned that Eliannis does not harbor feelings of guilt, yet feels there might have been more she could do for her son. "It's quite the opposite—she did far more than many parents would have," Amelia affirmed, recalling the challenges and struggles Eliannis faced in Cuba to secure proper medical care for her son.
"No words can truly comfort her; only time can help ease her emotions. Nevertheless, I felt the need to convey to her what our people feel. There is a lot of manipulation, and she needs to know that the people care for her," Calzadilla stressed.
Bidding Farewell to Damir
The Cuban exile community will have the opportunity to say their goodbyes to Damir on Sunday, April 20, at the Caballero Rivero funeral home in Hialeah, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. His ashes will remain in Miami, where Eliannis has requested political asylum due to fears of retribution following her public criticisms of medical care in Cuba.
Calzadilla urged those attending the funeral to be mindful of Eliannis’s emotional state: "She is very grateful but not in a stable condition to handle this situation, which is overwhelming," she assured.
A Death Highlighting a Broken System
Damir's case, diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 since age two, has become emblematic of Cuba's healthcare crisis. The boy suffered numerous complications, which worsened after contracting a resistant bacteria. According to Miami-based doctors, Damir did not succumb to his underlying condition but rather to severe infection and lack of antibiotic access in Cuba.
He was critically transferred to Miami on March 12, following an intense fundraising campaign spearheaded by his mother and supported by activists like Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia. Despite medical efforts, he passed away weeks later at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
A Visit Without Political Intent
Amelia Calzadilla clarified that her trip to the United States was neither politically motivated nor permanent. Her sole purpose was to support Eliannis and Diasniurka Salcedo in saying farewell to Damir this Sunday.
"I came alone, for a few days, and will return to Madrid with my family," she previously stated. From Spain, she had closely followed Damir's case, sharing live updates and messages of support. Addressing social media speculation about her visit, she made it clear that she received no external funding or institutional support for her travel expenses.
"Ordinary workers in the modern world can afford vacations through their modest efforts," she pointed out.
Understanding the Impact of Damir's Case
Why did Amelia Calzadilla visit Eliannis Ramírez in Miami?
Amelia Calzadilla visited Eliannis Ramírez in Miami to express personal support and convey the solidarity of the Cuban people following the death of Eliannis's son, Damir Ortiz.
What does Damir Ortiz's case symbolize in Cuba?
Damir Ortiz's case has come to symbolize the healthcare crisis in Cuba, highlighting issues like limited access to necessary medications and inadequate medical treatment.
How is Eliannis coping with the loss of her son?
While Eliannis is experiencing profound grief, she is recognized for her strength and courage in the face of such immense personal loss.