Daughter of the creator of Trofin denounces Díaz-Canel for neglecting retirees in Cuba: "They have been killed while still alive"

Elizabeth González Aznar, daughter of the Cuban scientist Raúl González Hernández, creator of the anti-anemia drug Trofin, directed a strong denunciation to Miguel Díaz-Canel regarding the conditions in which numerous retirees and elderly people in Cuba survive.

Using his 81-year-old father as an example, González Aznar directly questioned the president about the precarious situation faced by a generation that, as he noted, dedicated decades of work to the country and today must confront old age with insufficient pensions in the face of the high cost of living.

They have been killed while alive, she wrote at the end of a Facebook post addressed to Díaz-Canel.

The creator of the Trofin, retired with 4,500 pesos

Raúl González Hernández was born in 1945 in Madruga, now part of the Mayabeque province, and developed a extensive scientific career associated with the National Center for Biopreparations (BioCen).

He was one of the leading researchers behind the development of Trofin, a Cuban product used for decades in the treatment and prevention of conditions associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Her daughter recalled that her father grew up in a large family, started working as a child, and later was able to study and dedicate himself to science.

According to Elizabeth, González Hernández currently receives a monthly pension of 4,500 Cuban pesos.

"How do you think she lives? She doesn't live, she survives," the woman wrote while addressing Díaz-Canel.

The figure provided by González Aznar is particularly significant in the context of Cuban pensions. In 2025, the government approved a partial increase for low-income pensioners: those receiving up to 2,472 pesos received an increase of 1,528 pesos, while pensions ranging from 2,473 to 3,999 pesos were raised to 4,000 pesos per month.

The official information acknowledged at that time that the increase was partial and that the country's financial conditions prevented a comprehensive reform of the pension system.

"Abandoned, mocked, ignored"

Elizabeth's complaint was not limited to her father's economic situation.

He also questioned the treatment that many members of that generation receive and asked the authorities if they feel "ashamed" in light of the difficulties faced by individuals who dedicated a significant part of their lives to work.

"Defrauded is an understatement. Abandoned, mocked, ignored," he stated.

González Aznar contrasted that reality with the official promises associated with the 176 economic and social transformations that the Cuban government began to implement in 2026.

His message comes at a time when Díaz-Canel and other high officials have defended these transformations as a way to recover the economy and gradually improve the social conditions of the country.

For Elizabeth, however, her father's experience represents the accumulated wear and tear after decades of promises and sacrifices demanded of the same generation.

Reports problems in receiving social assistance

The scientist's daughter also stated that her father had to insist to the Social Security institutions to receive care as an assisted elderly person.

He also reported that González Hernández goes to the Family Care System (SAF) in San Agustín, in the La Lisa municipality of Havana, and stated that he has witnessed situations there that have deeply affected him.

"She has seen horrors that have made her cry," Elizabeth pointed out, accusing the authorities of receiving a distorted image of what is happening in the territories instead of listening directly to those who use these services.

The SAF is aimed, among other groups, at elderly individuals living alone or with other seniors who lack family support, as well as individuals and families in vulnerable situations. Applications must be evaluated and approved by municipal authorities.

The regulations approved in 2026 establish that these services must ensure certain nutritional contributions and improve the care provided to beneficiaries.

A story of claims that began years ago

The situation of González Hernández is not new.

In December 2024, his family reported that the scientist had difficulties even obtaining Trofin when the product was necessary to treat relatives with anemia issues.

CiberCuba reported that González Hernández had to turn to former colleagues to try to obtain the product he helped develop.

Months later, in June 2025, when he turned 80 years old, his daughter revealed that the researcher had begun to sell coffee to supplement the family income.

The family has also asserted that González Hernández was one of the main architects of Trofin and has publicly demanded greater recognition for his scientific career.

The scientist has also just questioned the government

Elizabeth's letter appeared at a time when González Hernández himself has intensified his criticisms of the Cuban leadership.

This week, the researcher stated that the authorities had exhausted their opportunity to govern and urged them not to prolong the suffering of the population.

"Understand that your opportunity has run out," expressed González Hernández in a message where he called for changes with greater citizen participation.

CiberCuba collected his statements and the career of the scientist, who dedicated more than four decades to research related to anti-anemic products.

Now her daughter has taken the claim a step further by presenting her father's situation as an example of what she considers a debt owed by Cuban institutions to an entire generation.

"This Cuban's name is Raúl González Hernández, and he is my father," he wrote. "Given all that he and his generation suffer, I will not remain silent."