Oncologist Álvaro Pérez Pérez took to social media on Friday with a live video lasting over 35 minutes, challenging a statement released by the State Commerce Directorate of the Municipality of Isla de la Juventud. Authorities had adjusted their narrative regarding his controversial 4,000 peso fine, which had sparked widespread support across Cuba.
The official statement, which aired on Radio Caribe, claimed the penalty was imposed not on Dr. Pérez but rather on "the homeowner." It also accused the viral video posted by the doctor of failing to mention the prohibition against selling school notebooks.
The document highlighted that donations in solidarity reached 100,000 pesos and urged the public to use "official channels" for similar issues, warning that "spreading incomplete information online damages public trust."
Doctor Disputes Official Account
Dr. Pérez countered each point in his new Facebook video, particularly condemning what he saw as the gravest omission: "First of all, no authority, neither from the party, nor the government, nor the State Commerce Directorate, ever approached me. They never cared to hear my side of the story."
He clarified that the garage sale did not occur at his residence, as the official note suggested, but rather at his brother-in-law's porch.
He further stated that his partner, a university professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences with a salary of 7,500 pesos, is not "the owner of the house," and that the signature on the fine receipt did not imply agreement: "His signature doesn't mean consent; it signifies coercion. If we sign, we leave. If we don't, we still have to leave, but it'll be worse."
State's Double Standards Questioned
One of the oncologist's strongest arguments was the inconsistency between the notebook sale ban and the State's own actions. According to him, the same notebooks he sold for 100 pesos were priced at 270 pesos in state-run stores, backed by photographic evidence.
"If mine costs 100 and the State's costs 270, then what's the issue? You're selling yours, and I'm not inspecting the State's store," he stated. He added that the day after the incident, the notebooks vanished from those stores.
The doctor also criticized the inspectors — two women and one man — for initially not knowing which law they were enforcing: "There was never any dialogue. The intention was always to impose the fine. We weren't even told why the fine was being issued." At one point, one inspector struggled to find the relevant regulation on the form, and they were told the violation was due to "speculative pricing."
Discrepancies in Donation Figures
Dr. Pérez also rejected the donation figures cited in the official statement. Other sources claim nearly 300,000 pesos were sent to the fined oncologist, contradicting the 100,000 pesos mentioned by the Commerce Directorate.
The only institution that reached out to him was the Public Health Directorate, requesting a public clarification, which he declined to avoid further escalating the matter.
This incident highlights the broader crisis facing professional salaries in Cuba, where the average monthly income for the healthcare sector was around 6,562 pesos (approximately 16 USD at the informal exchange rate) in May 2026, while a basic food basket for two people exceeded 41,000 pesos.
The inspection system, revamped in January 2025 to pay inspectors based on the number and amount of fines issued, has been criticized as an incentive for excessive fining.
"Everyone knows what's behind this fine — that we, the professionals, have to sell what patients give us just to scrape together 100 or 200 pesos to buy a head of garlic and cook," the doctor concluded in his broadcast.
Key Questions About the Oncologist's Fine Controversy
What was the original reason for the fine imposed on Dr. Pérez?
The fine was reportedly issued for selling school notebooks, which was prohibited. However, Dr. Pérez disputed this claim, stating inconsistencies with the State's own sales practices.
How did Dr. Pérez respond to the official statement?
Dr. Pérez refuted each point in the official statement through a detailed Facebook video, emphasizing the lack of communication from authorities and challenging the accuracy of the claims made against him.
What impact has this incident had on public perception?
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issues of professional salaries and state practices in Cuba, raising questions about fairness, transparency, and the motivations behind the inspection system.