Sonia Díaz, the wife of former Cuban boxer Andrés Aldama—an Olympic champion in Moscow 1980 and a silver medalist in Montreal 1976—has made a public plea for assistance due to the dire circumstances facing her family in Matanzas.
This call for help was highlighted by historian and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández, who also lives in the Armando Mestre neighborhood where the family resides. López Hernández utilized Facebook to expose the family's struggle with housing issues, food shortages, lack of medication, and the government's inaction.
"Sonia asked me to help raise awareness of the challenges her family is facing. They live in the Armando Mestre neighborhood, in a fourth-floor apartment with serious structural issues and leaks everywhere," López Hernández reported.
Unfinished Repairs and Health Struggles
According to her account, months ago, the provincial director of the National Institute of Sports (INDER) in Matanzas had authorized a team to make repairs to their home. However, the work was left incomplete.
"The work was abandoned because, according to the brigade leader, there was no budget to pay for it. They are still waiting for a solution," she added.
Beyond material hardships, the family is also facing significant health challenges. Aldama's son has been dealing with a psychiatric disorder since adolescence and requires a continuous supply of olanzapine, a medication that they have been unable to obtain from pharmacies.
Andrés Aldama himself, now 70, suffers from dementia and diabetes.
"She tells me that her husband Andrés is suffering from dementia and is also diabetic. Despite their lack of food and resources, they have reached out to the government and INDER with no results," the activist shared.
Legacy of a Boxing Icon
Born on April 9, 1956, in Matanzas, Andrés Aldama remains a legendary figure in Cuban boxing. He secured a silver medal at the Montreal 1976 Olympics, losing to American Sugar Ray Leonard in the final.
Four years later, Aldama claimed the Olympic title in the welterweight division at Moscow 1980 by defeating Uganda's John Mugabi.
Recurring Tales of Neglect
The situation surrounding Aldama echoes recent reports of former Cuban sports figures living in poor conditions. In July, former Olympic basketball player Félix Morales Alfonso was reportedly in neglect in Cárdenas.
In March, family and friends revealed that ex-boxer Gaspar Casamayor, recognized as a "Sports Glory" by INDER, was seen begging on the streets of Santiago de Cuba.
The shortage of olanzapine reported by Aldama's family is part of a broader crisis in Cuba, where between 69% and 70% of medications on the essential list were either completely unavailable or in short supply as of June 2026.
"Aldama's family, like those of many who brought glory to national sports, and countless other Cubans, is living in poverty and abandonment," López Hernández concluded.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Athletes
What are the main challenges faced by Andrés Aldama's family?
The main challenges include severe housing issues, a lack of essential medications, and inadequate response from authorities. Additionally, health problems such as dementia and diabetes for Aldama, and a psychiatric disorder for his son, exacerbate their situation.
How does the current medication crisis impact Cuban families?
The medication crisis in Cuba has led to significant shortages, with 69% to 70% of essential drugs unavailable or scarce. This impacts families like Aldama's who cannot access necessary treatments for chronic conditions.