Amelia Calzadilla Calls for Justice Following the Death of Young Damir Ortiz

The Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla has raised her voice with determination and grief over the passing of Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old Cuban boy who died in the early hours of April 5 at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami after suffering from a severe infection and enduring months of medical negligence in Cuba.

"A very sad day for our people," Calzadilla announced in a heartfelt live stream on her Facebook profile, where she shared her deep shock at the tragic news of Damir’s death: "It is a sad day for those of us who have ardently defended the case of young Damir. I know how painful this news is for us all."

Clearly moved, she admitted needing time before speaking publicly due to the emotional impact of the loss. "I didn’t want to offer my condolences to the family while I was in such an emotionally distraught state. As a mother myself, the mere thought of losing any of my children wouldn’t just make me immensely unhappy; it would destroy my life. I can’t imagine life without them," she stated.

With compassion, she urged for respect towards Eliannis Ramírez, Damir's mother, during this devastating time. "I am certain that Damir's mother is currently in such a delicate emotional state that if any of you are sending her messages, she really isn’t in a position to attend to anyone... Her pain surpasses any logical or courteous reasoning."

Beyond mourning, Calzadilla turned her sorrow into a call for action. "The only thing we can do at this moment, especially those of us who are parents, is to embrace our children... cherish the time we have with them. Additionally, in pursuit of justice for Damir and any other Cuban child who has faced our healthcare system... we must demand justice and seek it from international bodies."

The activist emphasized that Damir’s death is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the severe crisis within the Cuban healthcare system, which she described as collapsed and negligent. "They cannot continue to ignore the profound humanitarian crisis the Cuban people are facing."

Damir Ortiz suffered from neurofibromatosis type 1 and a plexiform neurofibroma that affected his vision and daily life. For months, his mother campaigned for a humanitarian visa to allow his treatment in the United States, but Cuban authorities, through the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), refused to provide the necessary medical documentation, claiming that the country had adequate resources for his care.

Ultimately, thanks to a solidarity campaign that raised over $36,000, Damir was airlifted to Miami on March 12. There, doctors refuted the initial leukemia diagnosis made in Cuba, discovered an untreated lung infection, and confirmed advanced sepsis caused by a multi-resistant bacterium acquired on the island.

The child's funeral will take place at Caballero Rivero Funeral Home in Hialeah, where Cubans will have the opportunity to say their goodbyes to the young boy later this week.