Yasmany Figueroa Chaviano, an Optometry and Vision Science specialist living in Santo Domingo, Villa Clara, has bravely broken his silence to reveal a harsh reality that the Cuban regime prefers to hide: a healthcare professional with three university degrees is struggling to feed himself and his family.
This is not an isolated incident. In late June, Yasmany shared a written account of his ordeal, depicting his dire situation with stark honesty: "I speak, or rather, I write on behalf of a Cuban professional who has resorted to selling even his clothes and shoes just to afford one meal a day; breakfast is a luxury we can no longer afford."
His desperate call for help reached a wider audience through a video shared by journalist Javier Díaz of N+ Univision 23 Miami.
In the footage, Yasmany appears gaunt and nearly unrecognizable compared to his 2022 self when he was actively working as a professional.
He has lost 45 pounds in less than a month, dropping from 145 to barely over 100 pounds. "Here I am, a shadow of my former self, truly emaciated, as you can see. I am not ashamed for people to see me like this," he confessed to the camera.
With a degree in Optometry and Optics, a master's in Pediatric Optometry, and a Ph.D. in Optometry and Vision Science, Yasmany has been unable to practice his specialty for two years, surviving by taking on "any decent, honest job that doesn't harm anyone," as he stated.
The Plight of Yasmany's Family
His family's condition is equally dire. His 93-year-old grandfather suffers from prostate cancer without access to pain medication and lacks the resources to replace his catheter.
Yasmany's mother battles panic disorders and epilepsy, relies on a borrowed wheelchair, and has a skin condition that remains undiagnosed.
His 65-year-old aunt suffers from untreated mixed neurosis because a single tablet costs 120 Cuban pesos. To make matters worse, the family was arbitrarily stripped of their ration book.
Yasmany emphasizes that his situation is particularly desperate because, unlike many Cubans, he does not have relatives abroad who can send remittances.
"I urgently plead for help and visibility for this case, because I fear the next news might be about the death of a family," he warned in his statement.
Cuba's Economic Collapse
This case is part of a broader systemic collapse that the regime can no longer conceal. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero admitted to the National Assembly that Cuba is facing "the most significant and perhaps the most challenging phase" of its economic reforms.
Meanwhile, Cuban doctors' salaries range from 7,045 to 8,880 Cuban pesos per month—equivalent to between $10.5 and $16 at the informal exchange rate—while the basic basket for two people exceeds 41,000 pesos.
The hunger statistics on the island are alarming. The Food Monitor Program reported in June that 96.91% of the Cuban population lacks adequate access to food and that 33.9% of households had someone who went to bed hungry in the past 30 days.
The number of malnutrition-related deaths recorded by the ONEI increased by 74% from 2022 to 2023, rising from 43 to 75 deaths.
Glimpses of Suffering in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, Yasmany's hometown, has repeatedly surfaced in news reports in 2026: power outages lasting up to 22 hours daily, weeks without potable water, and shortages of essential medicines.
In June, another family from the same municipality reported they were dying in silence due to total neglect by the authorities.
Those wishing to assist Yasmany can reach out through the contact number shared by journalist Javier Díaz: +53 5 9548228. Aware that individual assistance cannot solve systemic issues, the doctor was clear in his final remarks: "What the island needs is freedom."
Understanding the Crisis in Cuba's Healthcare Sector
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban healthcare professionals?
Cuban healthcare professionals struggle with inadequate salaries, lack of resources, and a crumbling healthcare infrastructure, which forces many to find alternative means of survival.
How does the economic situation in Cuba affect its citizens?
The economic crisis in Cuba leads to widespread food shortages, lack of basic necessities, and a significant portion of the population living without sufficient access to essential services.
What can be done to help Yasmany and others in similar situations?
Raising awareness, providing direct assistance, and advocating for systemic changes are crucial steps in supporting Yasmany and others in similar predicaments.