Esteban Lazo Hernández, who serves as the president of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power, was seen with noticeable hand tremors during a parliamentary session broadcasted on state television this Thursday. As he urged deputies to present concrete proposals, social media erupted with reactions concerning his health.
The incident took place during the Third Extraordinary Session of the 10th Legislature, held on June 18, convened under Agreement 599-X/2026 of the Council of State. The session aimed to discuss 176 proposals across 23 economic and social sectors, including labor policy, the energy system, and increased autonomy for state enterprises.
Concluding the day's session, the Assembly approved a range of reforms aimed at liberalizing the Cuban economy.
The footage shared on social media quickly garnered over 608,000 views and 1,633 comments, sparking widespread public debate about the official's health condition.
Theories on Lazo's Health Condition
Several users with medical expertise pointed out that the tremor observed is consistent with the "pill-rolling tremor," a resting tremor linked to Parkinson's disease.
"It's called the pill-rolling sign. This resting tremor can worsen with emotional stress or fatigue and subsides with voluntary movements. It disappears entirely during sleep. It is a classic and common sign of Parkinson's disease," one commenter explained.
Another user noted that the tremor could not be attributed to minor causes: "It’s not caffeine, my friend. That’s Parkinson’s, and he also has significant cardiopulmonary issues. Notice the pauses he takes and his shortness of breath."
A third comment clarified, "The characteristic Parkinson's tremor often starts in one hand and resembles the motion of counting coins between fingers," though they added that bilateral tremors could result from other causes like anxiety, medication, or hypoglycemia.
Lack of Official Health Update
There has been no official medical diagnosis or statement from the Cuban regime regarding Lazo's health. The lack of transparency about the health of leaders is a usual practice in the island's system, which also has not provided updates on the physical condition of former President Raúl Castro, who recently turned 95 and has become increasingly absent from public appearances.
Lazo, aged 82, remains one of Cuba's most senior officials. He has been a National Assembly deputy since 1981 and a member of the Communist Party's Political Bureau, presiding over both the National Assembly and the Council of State since February 2013 during the eighth legislature.
In May 2025, Lazo was photographed vacationing with Beatriz Johnson, enjoying a pool and beer at private facilities while Cuba suffered from power outages lasting over 10 hours daily.
Earlier in March of the same year, he traveled to Moscow to lead the Collaboration Commission between the Cuban and Russian Parliaments, where he met with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Back in July 2023, Lazo engaged in a tense exchange with deputies over the failures in food policy, pointedly asking, "How long are we going to be in this situation?"
Understanding Esteban Lazo's Health Concerns
What are the main health concerns raised about Esteban Lazo?
The primary concern is the noticeable hand tremors observed during a parliamentary session, which some medical professionals on social media have associated with Parkinson's disease.
Has there been any official statement regarding Lazo's health?
No official medical diagnosis or statement has been provided by the Cuban government regarding Esteban Lazo's health condition.
What is the significance of the "pill-rolling tremor" in medical terms?
The "pill-rolling tremor" is a resting tremor commonly associated with Parkinson's disease. It can worsen with stress or fatigue and typically disappears during sleep.