Lester Domínguez Ortiz, a young man from Holguín left wheelchair-bound after a machete attack in 2023, remains a poignant symbol of Cuba's institutional neglect. His father, Dennis Domínguez, took to Facebook to expose the total abandonment by the Cuban government and to appeal for donations to secure an electric wheelchair for Lester before his upcoming birthday on July 1.
On Saturday, Dennis shared a grim picture of his son's ongoing struggles: Lester still has an unoperated inverted vertebra in his neck, requiring the use of orthopedic braces, and the wheelchair he currently relies on is so deteriorated that it has broken, causing injuries to his hands.
"The boy is alive by a miracle," the father wrote, reflecting on his son's survival through mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and other bacterial infections following the attack.
Government's Broken Promises
The harshest criticism was directed at the regime itself: "It's been over a year without any government assistance, yet they claim to support the most vulnerable and needy. Stop deceiving the people," Dennis declared.
He further mocked the official narrative with biting sarcasm: "A medical powerhouse, where a child is at risk of his life due to an unoperated inverted vertebra." Lester's surgery has faced an endless series of delays.
Endless Delays and a System in Crisis
In August 2025, doctors deemed Lester fit for surgery, but by October, the family was still searching for a necessary orthopedic brace. The situation worsened when Hurricane Melissa struck in November 2025, damaging 461 healthcare facilities in eastern Cuba, including Holguín, further postponing the operation.
These challenges are compounded by the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system, which by 2026 faced a surgical waiting list of up to 96,000 people, including 11,000 children. The Ministry of Public Health admitted surgeries were limited to emergencies due to shortages of electricity and resources.
A Brutal Attack and Its Legal Aftermath
Lester was 16 when Adrián Grass Bermúdez attacked him with a machete to steal his cellphone in March 2023. The assault left him with an incomplete C5 spinal cord injury, paralyzing him. The attacker was identified when Lester's phone was found buried in his yard.
The prosecution sought a 20-year sentence for the attack, with an additional four years for robbing other victims; the trial concluded in May 2024.
Three years after the attack, Lester has shown some improvement in his upper body but remains unable to walk. The unoperated vertebra continues to pose a significant threat to his recovery, risking arthritis and hindering any rehabilitation progress.
For those willing to help, Dennis Domínguez provided MLC card number (9235 0699 9486 9543), CUP card number (9205 0699 9242 9778), and the phone number +53 50112552.
"I hope God and the doctors continue to help restore the boy's health," Dennis concluded in his post, promising to keep updating on the progress of donations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lester Domínguez's Case
What injuries did Lester sustain from the machete attack?
Lester suffered an incomplete C5 spinal cord injury, which left him paralyzed and necessitated the use of a wheelchair.
Why has Lester's surgery been delayed?
His surgery has been postponed due to a lack of necessary orthopedic equipment, as well as disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa and the overall collapse of the Cuban healthcare system.
What legal actions have been taken against the attacker?
The prosecutor has requested 20 years in prison for the attack, plus an additional four years for the robbery of other victims, with the trial concluding in May 2024.