Pitcher Pedro Portuondo speaks out about the conditions at the Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba.

The Cuban pitcher Pedro Portuondo raised an alarm after experiencing a heartbreaking situation at the Antonio María Béguez César Pediatric Hospital, known as “La Colonia,” in Santiago de Cuba, where his youngest son has been admitted to the respiratory care unit since last Friday.

Through a post on the social media platform Facebook, Portuondo highlighted the critical hygiene conditions in which the patients are living, as evidenced by the images he shared.

"The children here, more than patients, seem like animals," the athlete criticized, referring to the lack of cleanliness in the room, which has vomit on the floor, waste, and an unsanitary environment.

According to the athlete, the doctors have chosen to open doors and windows to ventilate the space instead of ordering a proper cleaning, while the mothers of the children desperately search for solutions.

The pitcher also recounted an incident in which a cleaning staff member, who was distracted by her phone, responded disdainfully to the complaints of the mothers: "If I hadn't come to work, who would have cleaned?"

Portuondo expressed his anger when describing how children must breathe in the dust and the smell of vomit that fills the room. "No one is doing anything," he emphasized, warning that if his son's health is compromised, he will hold those who fail to fulfill their duties accountable.

The complaint aims to shed light on a situation affecting many children in the hospital and calls on health authorities to take action. "Hopefully, this publication reaches those who need to see it," he concluded.

This is not the first time the flamethrower has turned to social media. Last May, he addressed the criticism he received from fans following his performance in a match against the Matanzas national team.

Portuondo, who pitched only the first inning in which he allowed four runs, detailed all the deaths that have occurred in recent days—including that of his three-year-old niece—which have undoubtedly taken a toll on his spirits and performance.

"How easy it is to criticize a baseball player..." he said in a message in which he made it clear he did not justify his performance. "None of you have the slightest idea of the sacrifice involved in playing baseball or taking on certain responsibilities within a team as large as mine (Santiago). You just want to see a show, regardless of anything else..." he remarked.

The complaints regarding the lack of hygiene at the "Antonio María Béguez César" Children's Hospital are not new either. A few months ago, journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared several photos showing dirty bathrooms and damaged facilities.