Jorge Luis Aguilar, a 64-year-old Cuban residing in Montevideo, Uruguay, is grappling with severe health and financial challenges after fracturing his L5 vertebra in a fall from a truck while working. Aguilar, who has been living on the streets for the past three days, is unable to adhere to the three-month medical rest prescribed for his recovery, as reported by Antonio Arroyo on Facebook.
Arroyo, who described Aguilar as a beloved friend and steadfast companion, highlighted that Aguilar is also battling depression while isolated in an unfamiliar country where circumstances have been far from kind. In his post, Arroyo urgently called on friends, acquaintances, and the broader community to extend support, whether through fundraising or other means of assistance.
"It's the first time I'm making such a request on social media; I just can't think of another way," Arroyo confessed, adding that sending money from Havana is impossible due to transaction restrictions. Arroyo offered to connect directly with Aguilar through his profile or WhatsApp, indicating that those willing to help could contact him privately for further details.
"I've made this plea without his permission, yet I believe the end justifies the means," he concluded. The plight of Jorge Luis Aguilar serves as a stark reminder of the hurdles many Cuban migrants face when attempting to rebuild their lives abroad. For those interested in offering help, contact details for coordinating assistance are available in Antonio Arroyo's original post.
The struggles of Cuban emigrants highlight the numerous challenges encountered when escaping the Cuban regime and trying to establish themselves in other countries. In recent years, Uruguay has emerged as a favored destination for Cubans. According to the South American country's Ministry of Social Development (Mides), around 4,000 Cubans sought government assistance in 2023.
The Monitoring, Administration, and Resolution of Procedures System (SMART) from Mides released this data, which reflects a rising demand for aid among the island's migrant population and other foreign groups. In July, the family of Cuban Omar Verdecia Fernández, the sole survivor of a tragic traffic accident in Uruguay in late June, requested help to cover medical expenses during his hospitalization.
Verdecia, aged 39, sustained severe injuries when the van he was traveling in collided head-on with a car traveling in the opposite direction at kilometer 160 of route 3 in Uruguay's Flores department on June 25, as per preliminary incident reports. Also in July, Mides committed to providing housing solutions to a Cuban couple with a ten-year-old child and two Venezuelan individuals who lost their home to a fire.
The two-story house functioned as a residence on the upper floor and a cleaning supplies storage on the lower floor, located at the intersection of José Scoseria and Pedro Francisco Berro in Montevideo's Pocitos neighborhood, where the incident occurred.
Challenges and Support for Cuban Immigrants in Uruguay
What is the current situation of Jorge Luis Aguilar in Uruguay?
Jorge Luis Aguilar is facing severe health and financial issues after suffering a spinal fracture and is currently homeless, unable to follow the medical rest required for recovery.
How has the Cuban community in Uruguay been affected in recent years?
The Cuban community in Uruguay has been increasingly seeking government assistance, with around 4,000 Cubans requesting help in 2023, reflecting the challenges faced in establishing themselves in a new country.
What assistance was provided to other Cuban migrants in Uruguay recently?
In July, Mides pledged to offer housing solutions to a Cuban family and Venezuelan individuals who lost their home in a fire, highlighting ongoing support to migrants facing hardships.