A 21-year-old man named Yordi tragically lost his life following a severe motorcycle accident in Regla, Havana. His family claims that it took 56 minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene to provide the necessary medical assistance.
"Today, I'm experiencing one of the deepest pains of my life. Today, they let my cousin die," Wendy De La Rosa, Yordi's cousin, expressed to CiberCuba. She recounted the family's heart-wrenching wait for help after the accident.
“He was in a terrible motorcycle accident in Cuba and urgently needed an ambulance. It took 56 minutes for one to arrive—56 minutes that can feel like an eternity for someone fighting for their life,” she lamented.
Community Outrage Over Emergency Response
The incident was also highlighted by Cántalo TV, where friends and residents of Regla questioned the emergency response time.
Wendy voiced her frustration at the delay, though she hesitated to claim that a quicker ambulance arrival would have necessarily saved Yordi’s life. "I don't know if those 56 minutes could have changed the outcome, and I'm not claiming to know something only doctors can determine. But I do know that waiting 56 minutes for an ambulance after a severe accident is a reality no family should endure," she stated.
“How can a family be expected to accept this? How can we be asked to remain silent when an injured person needs help and must wait nearly an hour for an ambulance?” she questioned.
Additional accounts in the Cántalo TV report suggest the wait might have been even longer. "The ambulance took much longer, it was 1 hour and 10 minutes," one user reported.
Systemic Issues Within Emergency Services
Complaints also surfaced regarding the conditions of the Integrated System of Medical Emergencies (SIUM) in Regla. One person mentioned issues with electricity, fuel, and essential supplies, although these claims have not been independently verified.
“My cousin is not a statistic,” the family insisted, emphasizing that behind the complaints about deteriorating emergency services are real lives and families suffering the consequences.
"My cousin is not a number. He had a life, a family, dreams, and people who loved him," Wendy wrote to the media outlet.
Yordi's death has deeply affected his loved ones. Rosa Espinosa, another family member, described the profound impact of the loss, particularly on his mother and grandmother. "Once again, the family is engulfed in pain. This is incredibly, incredibly hard for us. A young man of just 21 has lost his life, leaving a family with shattered hearts, a mother lifeless inside, and a grandmother," she shared.
Espinosa also mourned the "helplessness" felt by family members who were far away and couldn't be with Yordi one last time.
Demanding Answers and Accountability
The family has called on neighbors, friends, and acquaintances to gather on Saturday, September 12, at noon in front of the Lidia and Clodomira polyclinic in Regla to demand answers about the incident and the emergency service's response.
Ambulance Delays Spark Outrage in Cuba
Yordi's case highlights ongoing complaints about extended waits for emergency care in Cuba. In April, Alexis Rosales Aldama died in Santiago de Cuba after his family reported waiting over four hours for an ambulance.
In June 2025, an elderly man struck by a bus in Havana died after waiting more than 45 minutes for emergency response, according to eyewitness reports.
In February, the Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, acknowledged the severity of the Cuban healthcare system's issues amid an energy crisis and resource shortages.
For Wendy, her cousin's death turns these deficiencies into a personal tragedy. “While some speak of achievements and a supposedly functioning healthcare system, my family is burying a loved one today,” she lamented.
She concluded her message to CiberCuba with a plea: "Let his death not go unheeded. Let someone be accountable. Because 56 minutes might seem just a number... until those 56 minutes become the final wait for someone you love."
Understanding the Emergency Response Crisis in Cuba
What led to the delay in ambulance response in Yordi's case?
The delay in ambulance response in Yordi's case is attributed to systemic issues within Cuba's emergency services, including reported problems with electricity, fuel, and basic supplies.
What impact has the emergency response crisis had on Cuban families?
The crisis in emergency response services in Cuba has resulted in tragic outcomes for families, as seen in the cases of Yordi and others, causing grief and frustration over the loss of loved ones who might have been saved with timely medical attention.
How has the Cuban government addressed the healthcare system's issues?
The Cuban government, through the Minister of Public Health, has acknowledged the healthcare system's challenges, particularly in light of the energy crisis and resource shortages, but concrete solutions are yet to be seen.