Five days ago, Niurka Casanova tearfully pleaded with the Cuban government in an interview with CiberCuba to return the body of her son, Michel Ortega Casanova, one of the first four Cubans killed when a boat was intercepted on February 25 near Cayos Falcones, Villa Clara. On Monday, Michel's only remaining sister in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, traveled to Havana, identified his remains, and agreed to have them cremated in order to transport his ashes to the United States, where he had lived for the past two decades.
Adding financial strain to their grief, the family was charged $1,000 for the period Michel's body was held at the Legal Medicine facility, equating to $50 per day.
In a tragic twist, Michel's mother, overwhelmed by sorrow, had previously begged for information about her son's whereabouts, as the family had not been informed by March 12 about the steps needed to recover his body.
Michel’s siblings and wife in the United States expressed their dismay that the State Security returned the body without his wedding ring, which his widow wished to keep as a memento. Additionally, his phone and other personal belongings were not returned.
Upon the sister's arrival at the Legal Medicine Office in Havana, she was shown only Michel's face as the rest of his body remained covered. While she identified him, State Security agents filmed the scene, limiting her view to what they allowed. The rest of the family, watching from Florida via video call, was not permitted to see the body.
After the cremation, State Security transported Michel's sister and her husband in an escorted jeep. In Morón, numerous neighbors have reached out to the family in the U.S., offering support for the memorial service, as Michel and his brother Misael were well-loved in their community.
The family is now focused on transporting Michel's ashes to Florida. They need to send an approved funeral urn from the United States, as the one provided in Cuba does not meet U.S. regulations.
Michel’s mother remains utterly devastated, joined in her grief by the widow, who has lost significant weight, causing concern among family members. Their anguish is compounded by the silence from the U.S. Embassy in Cuba regarding the incident, despite Michel being an American citizen.
Michel Ortega was aboard the boat targeted by Cuban border guards near Cayos Falcones, close to Corralillo in Villa Clara, on February 25. On March 13, Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that Cuba would allow the FBI to investigate the event on the island. However, attorney Alain Espinosa from Cubalex argues that cremating the bodies hampers any investigation, as ballistic analysis would be impossible to determine the origin and distance of the gunfire.
Frequently Asked Questions about Michel Ortega's Case
Why was the Cuban government charging $1,000 to Michel Ortega's family?
The family was charged $1,000, which amounts to $50 per day, for the time Michel Ortega's body was held in the Legal Medicine facility.
What were the conditions under which Michel Ortega's sister identified his body?
Michel's sister was shown only his face while the rest of his body was covered. The identification process was filmed by State Security agents, limiting her view to what they permitted.
What items were not returned to Michel Ortega's family?
The family did not receive Michel's wedding ring, phone, or other personal belongings from State Security.
How will the FBI's investigation be affected by the cremation of the bodies?
The attorney from Cubalex, Alain Espinosa, believes that cremation will hinder the investigation, as it prevents any ballistic analysis to determine the specifics of the gunfire.