A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of Cuban anesthesiologist Juan Miguel Cruz Rojas, aged 59, on Tuesday. Cruz Rojas had been living and building his professional career in Guatemala for over ten years.
The unfortunate incident took place at kilometer 107.8 on the road connecting Taxisco to Guazacapán in Santa Rosa, as reported by the newspaper La Hora.
Rescue teams revealed that Cruz Rojas lost control of his motorcycle, causing him to fall onto the asphalt. The impact led to severe internal injuries that ultimately proved fatal.
The ASONBOMD Municipal Firefighters responded promptly, deploying unit AD-155 to transport him to the National Hospital of Escuintla. Unfortunately, Cruz Rojas passed away en route, around kilometer 83.5, near the village of Las Flores, Brito, Escuintla.
The news of his death sent shockwaves through the medical community and institutions where the esteemed Cuban specialist had served for years.
Extensive Medical Career in Guatemala
For over a decade, Cruz Rojas had been an integral part of Guatemala's healthcare system. Since 2015, he worked at the Maternal and Child Integrated Care Center (CAIMI) in Chiquimulilla, and prior to that, he offered his services in Escuintla.
His connection to Guatemala extended beyond his professional life. He became a Guatemalan citizen while maintaining his Cuban nationality, establishing a family life there. This was distinct from other professionals from Cuba who remained as part of the medical brigade sent by Havana.
The Sanatorio San Rafael, another institution where he served as an anesthesiologist, paid tribute to Cruz Rojas for his role in numerous surgical procedures and the relationships he built with patients and colleagues.
“He was a vital part of our team, contributing his knowledge and dedication to care for our patients,” the institution expressed.
“Today, we bid farewell not only to an exceptional professional but also to a human being who left a lasting impression on those who had the privilege of working alongside him,” they added.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia Morales Bolaños; his children Diana Sofía, Julio Reynaldo, and Juan Miguel; and his parents, Juan Domingo Cruz and Esther Rojas.
His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 10:00 AM at the general cemetery after a vigil at the Santísima Trinidad Chapels in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla.
At 59, Cruz Rojas passed away, having devoted more than a decade to the practice of medicine in Guatemala—a nation that became his second home, where colleagues, patients, and family now mourn the loss of a dedicated Cuban professional.
FAQs About Juan Miguel Cruz Rojas and His Legacy
What was the cause of Juan Miguel Cruz Rojas’s death?
Juan Miguel Cruz Rojas died due to severe internal injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Guatemala.
Where did Juan Miguel Cruz Rojas work in Guatemala?
He worked at the Maternal and Child Integrated Care Center (CAIMI) in Chiquimulilla and previously in Escuintla, among other places.
How did the Sanatorio San Rafael honor Cruz Rojas?
The Sanatorio San Rafael honored him for his contribution to numerous surgical procedures and the strong bonds he formed with both patients and colleagues.