Yamileth Gutiérrez was 4 years old and came from La Mosquitia, a remote region of Honduras. Her mother, Lesia, took her to San Pedro Sula with one hope: that she would recover.
The girl spent 16 days hospitalized at Mario Catarino Rivas Hospital. According to her mother’s account to Honduran media, she was discharged about four days before she died, still with a fever.
During those days, she stopped eating. She only asked for cassava.
Lesia didn’t have money to buy it. She recalled through tears: “My daughter, I don’t have money to buy cassava”.
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, starting at four in the morning, Yamileth began having symptoms such as vomiting, among others. She asked her not to take her back to the hospital.
Hours later, at the San Pedro Sula Metropolitan Bus Terminal, the girl died in her mother’s arms, wrapped in a blanket. Passengers recorded the scene, and the image spread throughout the country.
The family has very limited means. The municipal governments of San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba joined forces so Yamileth could have her wake in La Ceiba.
She wasn’t asking for a toy or a miracle. She was asking for a plate of food.
Rest in peace, little Yamileth. 🕊️
