Dennis Domínguez, the father of the young Cuban Lester Domínguez Ortiz, has taken to Facebook to announce the family's decision to stop seeking assistance from the Cuban regime for a humanitarian visa. Instead, they are prepared to leave the country on their own, even if it means taking a boat.
"No more begging from a failed and corrupt government," Dennis declared in his post. His message, filled with frustration and resignation, acknowledges the severe risks Lester faces, including paralysis or death. Yet, it ends with a sentiment that captures the family's exhaustion: "Whatever God wills."
The father extended his gratitude to those who have supported his son's cause over the years and concluded his message with a blessing for all followers.
Three Years of Institutional Neglect
Lester's case is a tragic tale of institutional neglect spanning over three years. In March 2023, at just 16 years old, he was brutally attacked with a machete in San Germán, Holguín, during a robbery where his phone was stolen. The assault resulted in an incomplete C5 spinal cord injury, confining him to a wheelchair. His path to recovery has been arduous, involving mechanical ventilation, a tracheotomy, bedsores, pneumonia, and bacterial infections.
Unfulfilled Promises and Health System Collapse
By August 2025, Cuban doctors identified a surgical procedure that could potentially correct an inverted vertebra compressing his spinal cord. However, the surgery was never performed due to the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system, which faces a staggering waitlist of up to 96,000 people, coupled with a severe lack of resources. Lester turned 20 on July 1, 2026, still waiting for the operation.
Fundraising Setbacks and Renewed Efforts
The family resumed their fundraising efforts after a particularly painful episode. In early August, a woman named Loraine, based in Las Vegas, contacted Lester claiming she had secured a humanitarian visa for him. The legitimacy of the document was questioned, and the associated fundraising campaign was exposed as fraudulent.
Lester himself acknowledged the situation in a video statement: "It seems I am being scammed. I have nothing certain, no proof, but everything is a bit unclear."
According to Dennis, they managed to recover over $13,000 raised in that campaign after the account was frozen, though this information comes solely from the father and hasn't been independently verified. On August 20, the family launched a new GoFundMe campaign aiming to collect the necessary funds for surgery in the United States, estimated to be at least $30,000.
Emotional Toll and State Neglect
Dennis also described his son's emotional state following the alleged scam: "The boy is devastated now."
He has repeatedly criticized the lack of state assistance for over a year, despite official speeches about supporting vulnerable cases. Before receiving a donated wheelchair, Lester's previous one was in such poor condition that it broke, injuring his hand.
"Blessings to all who have supported Lester's cause, blessings and may God bless you, amen," Dennis concluded, signaling a definitive end to any remaining hope in the regime.
FAQs about Lester Domínguez's Struggle
What caused Lester Domínguez's spinal cord injury?
Lester Domínguez sustained a C5 spinal cord injury during a machete attack in a robbery in March 2023, which left him wheelchair-bound.
Why was the surgery for Lester Domínguez never performed?
The surgery identified by Cuban doctors was never carried out due to the collapse of Cuba's healthcare system and a massive waitlist, along with insufficient resources.
How is the family planning to fund Lester's surgery in the United States?
The family has launched a new GoFundMe campaign to raise the estimated $30,000 needed for Lester's surgery in the U.S.