Lester Domínguez Ortiz, a young man from Holguín who became paralyzed after a brutal machete attack to his neck in 2023, was gifted an electric wheelchair on Tuesday from Cuban expatriates living in the United States. Meanwhile, the Cuban healthcare system continues to fall short in providing him with the life-saving surgery he urgently requires.
The wheelchair donation came from Lester Fleites, a Cuban-American, and was arranged by Yunior González, also part of the diaspora. Independent humanitarian activist Noly Blak in Holguín spearheaded the initiative and captured the moment in a video that gained significant traction on Facebook.
Overcome with emotion, Lester expressed his gratitude upon receiving the chair. "I feel great. Really great, I'm so happy. This chair arrived just an hour ago and you can't imagine how thrilled I am," he shared.
His excitement was so overwhelming that he couldn't finish his meal: "When it arrived, the excitement took away my appetite. I couldn't even finish eating."
Lester also extended his heartfelt thanks to those responsible for this act of kindness: "God bless you all."
Desperate Medical Situation Amidst a Collapsing Healthcare System
Dennis Domínguez, Lester’s father, expressed his gratitude on Facebook, noting that the new wheelchair will significantly improve his son's quality of life. He also mentioned that their next challenge is securing surgery for Lester's inverted vertebra.
Unfortunately, the medical outlook is grim. In the video, Lester’s aunt explained that while the family has gathered the necessary surgical supplies themselves, they remain in the dark regarding when the surgery might happen. "The hospitals are at a standstill... there are no operating rooms," she lamented, pointing to the broader healthcare collapse in Cuba.
A Tragic Incident and Its Ongoing Consequences
At 16, Lester suffered a catastrophic injury in March 2023, when he was attacked in San Germán, Holguín, by a man attempting to steal a broken Huawei phone.
The incomplete C5 spinal cord injury left him wheelchair-bound. Since then, he has endured mechanical ventilation, a tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and bacterial infections.
Having turned 20 on July 1, he still awaits a surgery that the Cuban government has neither provided nor facilitated.
The pressure on his spinal cord is worsening. "The compression is increasing, and I'm losing function in my hands. I can't even operate this chair anymore," he warned in a video recorded less than a month ago.
The Stark Reality of Cuba's Healthcare Crisis
Without surgical intervention, doctors warn that Lester's condition could lead to arthritis and render rehabilitation impossible.
Dennis Domínguez has been vocal about the lack of government support: "It's been over a year without any assistance, despite their claims of supporting vulnerable and needy cases. Stop deceiving the people," he declared.
With bitter irony, he questioned the official narrative: "A medical powerhouse where my son's life is at risk because of an unoperated inverted vertebra."
The electric wheelchair's arrival was a testament to the Cuban-American community's solidarity. However, Lester's life-saving surgery remains pending, with his father summing up the situation: "My son is alive by a miracle."
Lester's plight is not unique. By 2026, Cuba faces a surgical backlog affecting 96,000 individuals, including 11,000 children, with procedures limited to emergencies due to resource shortages.
The situation worsened following Hurricane Melissa in November 2025, which damaged 461 healthcare facilities in eastern Cuba, including Holguín.
Noly Blak concluded the video with a poignant message to those considering a life of crime: "Money runs out, but a guilty conscience is eternal. It's not worth it."
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What led to Lester Domínguez Ortiz's paralysis?
Lester was paralyzed following a machete attack to his neck in 2023, which occurred during an attempted robbery.
How did Lester receive an electric wheelchair?
The electric wheelchair was donated by Cuban-American Lester Fleites and coordinated by Yunior González, with help from activist Noly Blak.
What is the state of the healthcare system in Cuba?
Cuba's healthcare system is in a state of collapse, with a surgical backlog affecting tens of thousands, limited resources, and facilities damaged by natural disasters.
What are the consequences of the delayed surgery for Lester?
Without surgery, Lester's condition could lead to arthritis and eliminate any chance of rehabilitation, further deteriorating his quality of life.