Dairon Calderín, a 41-year-old man and husband of Jenni M. Taboada—mother of 11J political prisoner Duannis Dabel León Taboada—passed away this Wednesday in Havana. His death occurred after spending over eight days hospitalized at the Salvador Allende Clinical-Surgical Hospital, commonly referred to as La Covadonga.
Activists Anamely Ramos González and Tania Tasé took to social media to report that Dairon died following a severe decline in his health, due to not receiving timely medical care.
Witness accounts reveal that Dairon was admitted to the hospital on foot, with a hemoglobin level of just five grams per deciliter. In the following days, this figure reportedly dropped to three, while he experienced blackouts, black vomit, and significant breathing difficulties.
Despite his deteriorating condition, family members complained that medical staff resisted transferring him to intensive care.
Family's Plea for Urgent Care
Anamely Ramos shared that just hours before Dairon's death, a doctor assured Jenni that her husband "only has that," referring to his low hemoglobin, and claimed he did not require intensive care.
Frustrated with her husband's situation, Jenni conducted several live broadcasts from the hospital in the early hours, demanding that those responsible for his care be located and that he be given a blood transfusion.
"Find whoever you need to find right now. Find whoever needs to give my husband blood," she insisted in one of the videos, according to shared testimonies.
Cuba's Healthcare System Under Scrutiny
From Berlin, activist Tania Tasé reported that Dairon was only moved to intensive care after public outcry, when his condition had become critical.
"They let my friend Dairon Calderín die. Only after Jenni M. Taboada's live broadcast and my previous post did they take him to intensive care. Late, late, LATEEEEE," she wrote.
As of now, no official medical report has been released to clarify the exact cause of death, nor has the hospital's management addressed the allegations.
For Jenni Taboada, her husband's death compounds years of suffering due to her son Duannis Dabel León Taboada's imprisonment. He was sentenced to 14 years for participating in anti-government protests on July 11, 2021.
In January 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted protective measures to Jenni and her son, recognizing the serious risks to their lives and well-being. In April, Jenni reported she had been unable to see Duannis for three months.
Dairon's death comes amid Cuba's own government's acknowledgment of severe shortcomings in the nation's hospitals, including medication shortages, lack of medical equipment, and other essential resources for healthcare.
The Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, recently admitted that these deficiencies are affecting service quality and causing dissatisfaction among patients.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
What led to Dairon Calderín's hospitalization?
Dairon Calderín was hospitalized due to a critically low hemoglobin level and subsequent health complications, including loss of consciousness and severe respiratory issues.
How did the family react to Dairon's medical treatment?
Dairon's family, particularly his wife Jenni M. Taboada, expressed frustration and desperation over the lack of appropriate medical response. Jenni actively broadcast her pleas for better care through live videos on social media.
What are the broader implications for Cuba's healthcare system?
Dairon's case highlights significant issues within Cuba's healthcare system, including medication shortages, inadequate medical resources, and a lack of responsive care, as admitted by the country's own Health Minister.