Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov, the grandson of the late dictator Fidel Castro (1926-2016), recently experienced an incident in Chile that left him needing an orthopedic boot. Instead of seeking treatment at a local hospital like any ordinary citizen, a medical team reportedly traveled all the way from Havana to assist him, highlighting the stark contrast between Cuba's political elite and its struggling healthcare system.
According to a Facebook post by a user of La Tijera, while on a "work" trip to Chile, the young scientist encountered an unspecified accident that necessitated the use of an orthopedic boot. The post claims that "rather than being treated in a local hospital like any other individual, a complete medical team flew from Havana to Santiago de Chile" to provide care.
Known for his skydiving exploits, Castro Smirnov once again finds himself at the center of controversy, allegedly benefiting from privileges that underscore the divide between the political elite and the Cuban populace, who endure long waiting lists, shortages of basic medications, and even deaths due to medical negligence.
He showcased his presence in Valparaíso, Chile, on his X profile during the XII Meeting of Graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), located in western Havana. He downplayed the accident, stating that "love and commitment" to his grandfather’s legacy remain undeterred by injuries, without providing further details.
Shortly thereafter, he posted on the same social media platform about a meeting with the Rector of the University of Valparaíso and part of the leadership team, emphasizing a "South-South vision" to promote and execute projects in Science, Research, and Continuing Education between Cuba and Chile.
Less media-focused than his rebellious cousin Sandro Castro, Castro Smirnov is an Academician at the Cuban Academy of Sciences and a Full Professor in Nuclear Physics and Senior Researcher at the Higher Institute of Technologies and Applied Sciences (Instec) in Havana. He is one of the three offspring from the union of Russian Natasha Smirnova and Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart, who tragically took his own life in Havana in February 2018 due to depression, according to official reports.
Meanwhile, on the island, patients are left to cope in hospitals plagued by poor conditions, lack of hygiene, and shortages of essential supplies. This situation starkly contrasts with the enduring privileges of the Castro family, despite the crumbling healthcare system that official propaganda still touts as a "medical powerhouse." The absence of orthopedic plaster in Cuban hospitals has forced ordinary Cubans to improvise by using various materials to substitute for the cast in case of fractures.
Wire and cardboard have become the most commonly used materials as make-shift solutions, a phenomenon that jeopardizes the recovery of patients with broken limbs.
Insights into Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov's Incident
Why did Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov need an orthopedic boot?
Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov required an orthopedic boot due to an unspecified accident that occurred during a work trip in Chile.
How did Castro Smirnov receive medical attention in Chile?
Instead of receiving treatment at a local hospital, a medical team reportedly traveled from Havana to Santiago de Chile to assist him.
What activities was Castro Smirnov involved in during his visit to Chile?
During his visit, Castro Smirnov participated in the XII Meeting of Graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine and met with the Rector of the University of Valparaíso to discuss promoting scientific and educational projects between Cuba and Chile.