Lester Domínguez Ortiz, a young man who endured a brutal machete attack in March 2023 in Holguín during a robbery for his phone, is now navigating a challenging rehabilitation journey. He has issued a powerful message to fellow Cubans: “Our country faces great needs and violence.”
Dennis Domínguez, Lester's father, who has been by his side throughout the arduous recovery process, shared a heartfelt message from his son on Facebook, addressing the Cuban people. He also contemplated the country's severe resource shortages and the alarming surge in violence, invoking health and blessings for everyone: “Let us hope he continues to improve,” he concluded with optimism and faith in his son's future.
In addition, Dennis provided insight into Lester's current condition, highlighting the complexities of his recovery journey. Presently, Lester is receiving medical treatment at the Julito Díaz Hospital in Havana, where he has been for the past three months. Although he was discharged five days ago, logistical challenges, such as the lack of water and waiting for an ambulance to return him to his home province of Holguín, keep him in the hospital for ongoing rehabilitation.
In his message, Domínguez expressed gratitude for Lester’s improvement, praising the dedication of the doctors and the “divine miracle” facilitating his recovery. As a devoted father, Dennis has previously expressed his desire to take his son out of Cuba, citing the lack of necessary resources for his full recovery within the country.
Dennis has voiced concerns that Lester may not achieve his full recovery potential due to the ongoing crisis in the Cuban healthcare system. “We hope he keeps getting better so we can finally move him, even through Nicaragua if necessary, because his rehabilitation, now going on eight months, cannot be adequately supported in Cuba,” he mentioned on his Facebook profile.