The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) has reported the death of a prisoner in Cuba, attributing it to a virus and severe physical and psychological abuse inflicted by prison guards.
"On July 31, 36-year-old common inmate Ariel López La Torre died in Detachment Number 6 of the Kilo 7 provincial prison, located in the province of Camagüey," the OCDH stated on social media platform X.
The inmate had requested that his right to a minimum sentence be honored, but his plea was denied. OCDH also highlighted the dire hygienic and epidemiological conditions at the Ariza prison in the province of Cienfuegos. This facility reports outbreaks of various diseases and lacks the necessary medical resources to care for inmates.
Among the most common diseases are dengue, Oropouche virus, scabies, digestive viruses, and tuberculosis. Medical professionals admit they do not have sufficient medications to treat the prisoners, nor do they isolate those who are ill, leading to increased contagion rates.
On multiple occasions, the OCDH has received complaints from inmates across various prisons in the country, reporting inadequate medical care, a lack of medications, poor nutrition, and systemic irregularities in Cuba's penitentiary system.
These reports underscore the vulnerability and neglect suffered by inmates within the island's penal institutions.
The non-governmental organization Cubalex has launched a practical guide aimed at the families of prisoners, to help protect their rights while incarcerated. This initiative provides useful tools in a context where justice and respect for human rights are continually challenged.
Cubalex also reported that in the past two years, 56 deaths have been documented among individuals in the custody of Cuban authorities, with violence cited as the primary cause of death in these cases.
Understanding the Human Rights Violations in Cuban Prisons
This section addresses common questions and concerns regarding the human rights violations occurring in Cuban prisons as highlighted in the article.
What are the main causes of death in Cuban prisons?
The primary cause of death in Cuban prisons, as reported by Cubalex, is violence. Other contributing factors include inadequate medical care and poor living conditions.
What diseases are commonly reported in Cuban prisons?
Common diseases in Cuban prisons include dengue, Oropouche virus, scabies, digestive viruses, and tuberculosis.
How does OCDH describe the medical care in Cuban prisons?
OCDH describes the medical care in Cuban prisons as severely lacking, with insufficient medications and no isolation for sick inmates, leading to higher rates of contagion.