This past Tuesday, the official media, along with the Health Department and the Provincial Government of Camagüey, lauded the reconstructive surgery of 11-year-old Leandro Gamboa Pelegrín as a triumph of the Cuban healthcare system. However, they conveniently neglected to mention the solidarity campaign that rallied donations, medical supplies, and assistance both domestically and internationally to support his treatment.
Leandro, a resident of Ciego de Ávila, sustained burns over approximately 60% of his body following an electrical shock in December 2023. His plight gained significant attention on social media, thanks to activist Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez, based in Mexico, and Avileño doctor Verona Bonce.
The duo spearheaded a campaign that united Cubans on and off the island, alongside supporters in Mexico and the United States. These efforts brought in medical supplies from abroad, medications, food, and transportation between Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey, along with other forms of support for the boy and his mother.
Furthermore, a family in Camagüey opened their home to them at no charge during this period, while the campaign fulfilled one of Leandro's dreams: owning a bicycle.
Despite these efforts, the official reports on his recovery made no mention of this external assistance.
The Provincial Government of Camagüey heralded the child's medical discharge as "a victory of science" and praised "a health system that prioritizes life."
Meanwhile, official journalist Miozotis Fabelo Pinares highlighted the "innovative solutions" used by the medical team in the face of "resource constraints imposed by the blockade."
None of the official accounts acknowledged Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez or Verona Bonce, nor did they explain that a portion of the medicines and supplies were sourced through a solidarity campaign and delivered from abroad.
The omission triggered widespread criticism on social media.
"They left out the main protagonists: Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez and Verona Bonce, who amplified Leandro's situation and raised an urgent SOS on social media. Without the medicines and supplies, the excellent doctors and nurses would be left heartbroken and helpless," one user noted.
Another user recalled that Rodríguez Sánchez has publicly documented the aid from the beginning, including medicines, food, transportation, and other expenses related to the child's treatment.
Even a relative of Dr. Orlando Gazmuri, one of the surgeons who operated on Leandro, criticized the lack of recognition: "As usual, making it political, and yet my uncle, who was part of the surgery team, isn't mentioned at all."
Verona Bonce responded by emphasizing the boy and his mother over any personal accolades.
"The heroes here are Leandro and his mom. Two incredible warriors with extraordinary humility. Without unity and will, nothing is possible," he wrote.
Rodríguez Sánchez replied with sarcasm to the official narrative: "In the end, it's all about moringa and blackouts."
This incident unfolds amidst a severe crisis plaguing the Cuban healthcare system, characterized by drug shortages, lack of supplies, and thousands of pending surgeries.
Faced with these deficiencies, citizen campaigns on social media have become a common way for families to secure medications, treatments, and resources not available through the state system.
Rodríguez Sánchez has led several such initiatives. In July, for instance, he raised over 500,000 pesos to aid a Cuban child with cerebral palsy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leandro Gamboa's Surgery and Campaign
Who is Leandro Gamboa Pelegrín?
Leandro Gamboa Pelegrín is an 11-year-old boy from Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, who suffered severe burns on 60% of his body due to an electrical accident in December 2023.
What role did Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez and Verona Bonce play in his recovery?
Guillermo Rodríguez Sánchez, an activist in Mexico, and Verona Bonce, a doctor from Avileño, initiated a campaign that gained international support, providing essential medical supplies and resources for Leandro's treatment.
How did the Cuban government present Leandro's surgery?
The Cuban government portrayed the surgery as a success of the national healthcare system, without acknowledging the external aid and solidarity campaign that played a critical role in his recovery.