Lester Domínguez, a young man from Holguín who was left wheelchair-bound after a machete attack to his neck three years ago, shared a heartfelt video on Facebook this past Sunday. In it, he seeks financial assistance to raise $30,000 needed for a critical surgery in the United States, following the urgent issuance of a humanitarian visa.
"Hello everyone, I'm Lester Domínguez, the guy who was attacked with a machete three years ago in a robbery. I now need to raise $30,000 for my surgery in the U.S. I've received an emergency humanitarian visa and need to pick it up by September 11," Lester explained to his viewers.
Lester mentioned that he has already gathered more than half the required funds, thanks to the kindness of foundations and compassionate individuals. He assured that all donations are directly transferred to the hospital's account where the surgery will take place: "No one handles it, it goes straight to the account."
He urged those unable to donate to at least share the video: "If you can't contribute, please share the video and tag others so it can reach more people. Thank you so much, and may God bless you."
Urgent Medical Need
Meanwhile, his father, Dennis Domínguez, posted a message underscoring the medical urgency of the situation. Lester is suffering from an inverted vertebra that is gradually compressing his spinal cord, posing the risk of total paralysis if not operated on in time.
"Every minute counts here, as my son has an inverted vertebra compressing his spinal cord, which could ultimately leave him completely paralyzed," wrote the concerned father in a Facebook post.
Lester's ordeal began on March 21, 2023, at the age of 16, when he was attacked with a machete in San Germán, Holguín, during a robbery for his Huawei phone.
The incident left him with an incomplete C5 spinal cord injury, confining him to a wheelchair and subjecting him to months of intensive care, including mechanical ventilation, tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and bacterial infections.
Legal Proceedings and Continued Struggles
Adrián Grass Bermúdez was arrested for the attack, and Lester's phone was found buried in the backyard of Bermúdez's home.
The Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Holguín requested a 20-year prison sentence for Bermúdez for robbery with violence and intimidation, as well as an additional four years for the continuous theft of two phones from other victims.
The trial took place on May 15, 2024, and the case was adjourned for sentencing. According to Dennis Domínguez, a second suspect committed suicide when police attempted to apprehend him.
In August 2025, following an MRI scan, doctors in Cuba confirmed that Lester could undergo surgery to correct the inverted vertebrae. However, despite the family's efforts to procure the necessary supplies and medications, a date for the surgery was never scheduled.
In October, his father sought assistance to obtain an orthopedic brace, deemed essential for safeguarding Lester's neck during recovery.
The spinal compression has progressed: Lester can no longer open his hands or operate his wheelchair independently. On July 1, he turned 20 without a surgery date, and on July 22, he received an electric wheelchair donated by Cuban-American Lester Fleites.
Dennis Domínguez expressed gratitude in his post to Iluminada Valdez, who has supported Lester via video calls since his time in intensive care, and to former world boxing champion Yordenis Ugás, who has consistently been there for the young man during his toughest times.
The father also criticized the Cuban government for providing no aid to his son for over a year, while the family struggles to secure the funds that could potentially save his life: "Anyone who can donate anything, the account goes directly to the hospital that will perform the operation, and it seems his dream of being the same child he was before will come true."
Lester Domínguez's Medical Journey and Appeals
What led to Lester Domínguez's need for surgery in the United States?
Lester Domínguez requires surgery in the U.S. due to an inverted vertebra compressing his spinal cord, which could result in complete paralysis if not addressed urgently. This condition stems from a violent machete attack he suffered during a robbery three years ago.
How is the fundraising for Lester's surgery being managed?
The fundraising efforts for Lester's surgery are being managed by directing all donations straight to the hospital's account that will perform the procedure, ensuring transparency and secure handling of the funds.
Who has supported Lester Domínguez during his recovery?
Lester has received support from various individuals, including Iluminada Valdez, who kept in touch through video calls, and former world boxing champion Yordenis Ugás, who has been a consistent source of encouragement.