Aylín Mujica’s son Mauro Menéndez dies in Barbados, family faces repatriation hurdles

Cuban actress Aylín Mujica confirmed that her eldest son, DJ Mauro Menéndez, died on 16 July 2026 in Barbados after complications from a severe pneumonia. The 30‑year‑old was traveling with friends when his condition worsened and he passed away in a local hospital.

Mujica gave her first public interview to Telemundo’s Verónica Bastos, stating, “Mi corazón está devastado por la partida de mi hijo Mauro…”. She described learning of his death while filming Top Chef VIP in Bogotá and recounted the moment she received the call from Barbados. The interview was aired as a preview on the network’s morning shows.

Efforts to repatriate Mauro’s body to Miami were stalled by Barbadian legal and bureaucratic delays. Mujica and the father, Osamu Menéndez, were forced to return to the United States without the remains, noting that “las cenizas no están en Miami, ni siquiera son cenizas”.

Friends of Mauro launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover funeral costs, which the father publicly opposed, saying he could pay the expenses himself and did not want anyone soliciting money. The fundraiser was halted after the family’s request.

The case has drawn mixed reactions on social media, with some users criticizing Mukica for speaking so soon after the loss and others expressing support for her grieving process.