Surviving a 33,000-Volt Shock During Military Service: A Forgotten Hero in Cuba

A young man from Las Tunas, who miraculously survived a 33,000-volt electric shock while fulfilling his Mandatory Military Service in Havana, claims he has yet to receive any compensation from the Cuban government. The incident left him with severe injuries, and he currently lives in dire conditions with his mother.

The story was brought to light by Holguín activist Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, known on social media as Noly Blak. His Facebook video surpassed one million views, sparking widespread solidarity.

"Did you receive any compensation for the accident?" the activist asked during an interview.

"No," the young man replied.

"Nothing at all?" Blak pressed further.

"No," he reiterated.

The accident occurred on November 24, while the recruit was on duty at a military post in Havana. His mother recounted that there was no water available, and he was unable to leave his post. Thirsty, he attempted to knock down a coconut using a pole.

"Yes, trying to knock down a coconut. That's the last thing I remember," he recalled.

The pole made contact with a 33,000-volt power line, resulting in severe injuries to his arms, legs, abdomen, and back, and rendering him unconscious.

He spent a year and three months in intensive care at Havana's Naval Hospital, undergoing procedures such as a tracheotomy. He was finally discharged on January 10, yet he still struggles to walk properly.

Living on the Edge in Las Tunas

Upon returning to his province, he settled with his mother in Palancón, one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Las Tunas. The family's financial situation is dire.

His 47-year-old mother revealed she developed a skin condition during her son's lengthy hospitalization and has been unable to obtain prescribed medications. "I can't buy the medicines because I have no support and can't work as I can't leave him alone," she explained.

Their diet further illustrates their struggles. "Plain spaghetti with salt and oil," was her response when asked what they could afford to eat.

A Wave of Solidarity

Upon learning about the case, Noly Blak initiated a fundraising campaign that rallied numerous Cubans both on and off the island. Donations were meticulously organized through public lists of collaborators, accepting both Cuban pesos and dollars, maintaining transparency in tracking and reporting the aid received.

In recent years, Díaz Blak has spearheaded numerous campaigns to support families in severe need in eastern Cuba, including one that raised over three million pesos for a family in Holguín and another that exceeded a million pesos for two siblings living in extreme poverty.

Highlighting a Systemic Issue

This young man's ordeal underscores the dangers associated with Cuba's Mandatory Military Service. According to a report by the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit, released on July 20, at least 97 recruits have died or gone missing during their service from 2001 to the spring of 2026.

The report indicates that accidents account for 22.7% of the documented cases, warning that the actual numbers could be significantly higher due to the lack of official statistics. "As long as the system causing these losses remains unchanged, there's no reason to expect the death toll to stop rising," the report concludes.