The heartbreaking saga of Ashlin Naara Perdomo Núñez once again resonates across Cuba. Her mother, Yeni Núñez Jerez, has reported that officials from the National Institute of Territorial Planning and Urbanism (INOTU) in Colón, Matanzas, compelled her to tear down the room she was building for her ailing daughter's therapies.
"I was hoping to welcome the new year 2026 with a completed room for Ashlin's therapies. Sadly, just as I was about to put on the roof, INOTU inspectors appeared as if by magic and... poof! The plans were gone: 'An illegal construction, you must demolish it,' they said, along with imposing a fine," Núñez recounted on the Facebook group "Todos Somos Ashlin."
Yeni shared that she had spent over 300,000 Cuban pesos on the project, gathering the funds through "months of working under the sun and sleepless nights caring for Ashlin."
Yet, all her efforts were lost amidst bureaucratic red tape and governmental apathy. "Every blow we struck to demolish it pained me to my core," she confessed.
Despite explaining her daughter's medical needs, the authorities warned that failure to demolish would lead to further fines and potential legal action.
"I am left without strength, without money, and even without nerve pills. No one ever asked how my daughter was; they only demanded that I demolish it or they would," she lamented.
Cuba's Bureaucratic Injustice: A Mother's Struggle
Yeni compared her case to other tolerated illegalities in Colón: "They told me those were old illegalities and mine was new. For heaven's sake, how far have we come?"
Ashlin’s story first captured attention in 2020 when her mother sought a humanitarian visa to the United States for treatment. There, it was confirmed that Ashlin suffered from an incurable neurodegenerative disorder. Upon their return to Cuba, Yeni faced the challenge of obtaining medications, equipment, and medical care for her daughter.
In recent months, Ashlin's health further deteriorated after contracting chikungunya, exacerbating her fragile condition.
"In 2026, I hope for peace for my family and all ordinary Cubans, that no mother of a child with special needs has to shed a tear out of humiliation," Yeni expressed.
The Cuban regime, unable to provide suitable housing or basic medications for Ashlin, now obliterates what little the family manages to build through their own hard work. Instead of support, they offer punishment. Instead of construction, they demolish the dreams of a mother seeking only to ease her daughter's suffering.
Understanding the Plight of Ashlin and Her Family
What was Yeni Núñez Jerez attempting to build for her daughter Ashlin?
Yeni was constructing a room specifically for her daughter Ashlin's therapies, hoping to improve her medical treatment and quality of life.
Why did the authorities order the demolition of the therapy room?
The INOTU inspectors deemed the construction illegal and mandated its demolition, threatening further fines and legal action if Yeni did not comply.
What challenges has Ashlin faced since returning to Cuba in 2020?
Since returning to Cuba, Ashlin has contended with a lack of medications, medical equipment, and adequate healthcare, as well as a recent bout with chikungunya that worsened her condition.