reprinted from Prensa Latina
Aug. 14, 2026
The group, composed primarily of young people, visited two pediatric care centers—Juan Manuel Márquez and the William Soler Cardiology Center—followed by the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of Cuba.
During their visits, they witnessed the effects of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by Washington on the Caribbean nation; consequently, they had to make significant efforts and sacrifices to acquire various types of medicines, including those used for cancer patients.
The medications delivered to the oncology institute included ceftriaxone, ondansetron, leucovorin, cisplatin, meropenem, and vancomycin, alongside various medical supplies.
Elias Gracia, president of the Cuban Society of Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Nuclear Medicine, noted that U.S. measures against Cuba directly impact cancer patient care by limiting access to essential medicines, supplies, and treatment technologies.
Gracia explained that the country’s power grid issues, combined with water and transportation problems, hinder life-saving efforts; nevertheless, alternatives are constantly sought to ensure quality care.
New cases are diagnosed daily, and cancer remains a leading cause of death in the country, where technical malfunctions plague machinery and equipment, and repairing or replacing them is costly for the State, remarked the head of Medical Oncology Services.
The head of the National Oncology Group emphasized that conducting financial transactions is highly complex due to the sanctions Washington has imposed on Havana.
After showing the visitors tangible examples of the hospital’s reality amidst the country’s difficult situation, Gracia expressed the staff’s gratitude for the donation provided by The Hatuey Project.
“What is happening in Cuba is real,” declared the president of the Cuban Society of Oncology, Radiotherapy, and Nuclear Medicine. During the meeting, activist and friend of Cuba Gloria La Riva highlighted the $53,000 contribution from the sister nation of Puerto Rico and emphasized that the Caribbean nation could continue to count on the support of the Puerto Rican people.
During the moving exchange, members of the project received answers to their questions and expressed their happiness at sharing these donations with Cuba, thereby reaffirming their solidarity with the largest of the Antilles.