Frank Cuesta, the renowned herpetologist and animal rights advocate, might be on the verge of losing his beloved animal sanctuary located in Thailand, and it seems his ex-wife Yuyee is at the center of the turmoil. This complex personal struggle unfolded publicly, stirring concern among his dedicated followers and raising questions about the legal intricacies of property ownership for foreigners in Thailand.
Cuesta, known for his previous television appearances, especially on 'El Hormiguero', took to social media recently to reveal the troubling news. On July 28, 2024, he posted, "Today I was informed of something I had been smelling for quite some time. It's the greatest deceit anyone could throw at me. I'm going to have to dedicate 200% of my efforts to solving this problem over the next few months, so I won't have much energy to argue online. You'll gradually understand what this is about, and it has nothing to do with health issues." His cryptic message left fans guessing and concerned about what he was facing.
The following week, Frank went live on the streaming platform Kick to provide more context about the situation. He revealed his ex-wife Yuyee and her new partner Chris Korn have apparently conspired to take control of the sanctuary, known as Santuario Libertad. The sanctuary, which spans about 37 hectares and is valued at over one million euros, was established by Cuesta to rescue animals affected by illegal trafficking.
Legal complications arose because Frank, not being Thai, can't register property ownership there. Therefore, he and Yuyee agreed to put the property under her name until their children, Zorro and Zape, were old enough to take ownership. Unfortunately, this arrangement has now become contentious. Yuyee is allegedly demanding Cuesta pay 3,500 euros per month as rent to keep the sanctuary, which puts tremendous pressure on him, especially since he claims the request coincided with the receipt of his divorce papers.
“I can't continue saying everything is fine when it isn't. It’s going to cost me my health dealing with this issue. For years, I created this sanctuary; it was me who funded it, and now I’m facing this without much room to maneuver,” Cuesta explained during his livestream. He expressed frustration about the turmoil surrounding his children’s future amid the complicated relationship dynamics. He firmly stated, "I must protect my kids first and foremost.”
His ex-wife's sudden turn seems to have originated with her new relationship, which has Coburn by Cuesta's account started stirring doubts and complicities surrounding the sanctuary’s ownership. His loyal fans expressed shock and support during the livestream, clamoring for more information and ways to help. Some wondered if he should reach out to friends for assistance, but he insisted he didn’t want to burden them.
Effectively, Cuesta’s predicament is more than just about personal loss; it underscores the broader issue of property ownership laws for foreigners residing or working within Thailand. While the regulations aim to protect indigenous rights, they can also complicate personal lives when established partnerships falter. Frank’s situation acts as a mirror for many expatriates who face similar challenges.
The herpetologist's fans have been rallying online, eager to help him navigate this crisis. His transparent discussions about the emotional and physical strains have garnered over 1.5 million views on the content addressing the sanctuary's confusion, shedding light on personal struggles many go through when relationships go awry.
Cuesta’s emotional appeal reveals the heavy toll such dilemmas can take on mental health, especially when one is thrust unexpectedly back onto the career and personal challenges they thought they had worked through. His dedication to animal welfare shines through, and people from all walks of life continue supporting him, eager to see everything resolved favorably.
Fans have noted Cuesta’s past struggles as he tirelessly campaigned for Yuyee’s release from prison, where she spent over six years due to drug-related charges. He consistently defended her during those tumultuous years. Yuyee’s release marked the beginning of his anticipation of rekindled family ties, but with the emergence of this conflict, Cuesta is left wondering if the past will overshadow the future he envisioned.
“I never imagined it would come to this; I thought we were past all of it. Now I have to face the adversities of our broken relationship and its impact on our children,” he sighed during his explanation, underscoring the reality of his disillusionment.
Many followers and friends from his community extend empathy and compassion, hoping these public discussions might lead to novel solutions or interventions. Some even suggest he could approach local animal charities about collaborations to protect the sanctuary and its residents should the eviction occur. The animal community is vast, and collaborating might yield beneficial results for all parties involved.
Taking stock of the situation, Cuesta has not relinquished his hope but has instead reiterated his willingness to explore solutions, including possibly establishing another sanctuary should it come to it. “If I have to start again, I will,” he stated with palpable determination. "I've invested too much love and energy to let it all slip away like this. My animals deserve better, and so do my kids. I’ll find another way. I always have.”
The emotional struggle Frank Cuesta is facing provides not only insight but also raises awareness about the fragility of personal relationships tied to legal systems and the impact on the vulnerable living within those systems. Going forward, Cuesta exemplifies resilience, embodying the idea of rising from adversity, even as this public battle weighs heavily on his heart.
