After leaving a dialysis session, a patient and her daughter, who had undergone spinal surgery, suffered injuries when their tricycle overturned in a massive water-filled pothole in Cienfuegos. An elderly woman, a healthcare worker, was also aboard, and all three required medical attention.
Dipsy Dueñas, the dialysis patient, recounted the harrowing incident that took place last Friday. She described the pothole as a "black hole" filled with foul-smelling water, emphasizing, "We almost lost our lives that day."
Dueñas sustained a significant blow to the head, leaving her disoriented for a time, along with additional injuries.
Her daughter, who has metal rods in her spine from surgery, was in tears, fearing for her mother's life.
Dueñas, still carrying heparin in her system post-dialysis, was particularly worried about the potential for bleeding if her fistula was impacted by the accident.
The mother also expressed concern about her daughter's well-being, fearing that damage to the spinal rods could have severe consequences.
"Thank God it wasn't worse, but do we have to wait for a tragedy?" she questioned.
The incident resulted in substantial material losses as well, with Dueñas noting damage to cell phones, a laptop, an oximeter, a glucometer, dialysis supplies, medications, and other belongings carried on the tricycle.
Dueñas questioned who would be accountable for the physical and material damages, expressing that both she and her daughter remain haunted by the memory of the accident.
She noted that the driver was nearly stationary when the accident happened and warned of the danger the pothole poses to anyone approaching at higher speeds unaware of its presence.
Dueñas expressed gratitude to those who quickly came to their aid and praised the professional, swift, and kind care received at the hospital's emergency room.
The Ongoing Hazard of Cienfuegos' Streets
The peril posed by the pothole, situated in the area of 63 and Calzada, was also highlighted by the regime-aligned Facebook page "Las Cosas de Fernanda," which denounced it as a "death trap" and demanded action from Cienfuegos authorities, despite being part of the regime's own propaganda apparatus.
Las Cosas de Fernanda reported that, prior to Dueñas' accident, another tricycle carrying three children had encountered trouble at the same location.
The page also claimed that plans to repair the area had been decided over a week earlier, yet the danger persisted unaddressed.
Shockingly, this incident is far from isolated. The deteriorating state of Cuban roads has been acknowledged by the authorities themselves.
In January 2025, the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, conceded that the poor condition of roadways contributes to accidents and vehicle damage, attributing these issues to a lack of resources, fuel, and specialized equipment.
Similar waterlogged potholes have caused comparable incidents in other provinces. For instance, in May 2025, an electric tricycle overturned in a large water-filled hole in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, while transporting several passengers.
Understanding the Risks of Cuban Road Conditions
What caused the accident in Cienfuegos involving a dialysis patient?
The accident occurred when a tricycle overturned in a large, water-filled pothole, injuring a dialysis patient, her daughter, and another passenger in Cienfuegos.
How has the Cuban government responded to road deterioration?
The Transport Minister acknowledged the poor state of roads affects accidents and vehicle conditions, blaming it on resource shortages, but significant improvements remain unseen.
Are similar incidents common on Cuban roads?
Yes, incidents like these are not uncommon, with similar accidents reported in various provinces due to deteriorating road conditions and unaddressed potholes.