At least two inmates died in Cuban prisons in August due to medical negligence and inadequate healthcare, according to a report by the Center for Cuban Prison Documentation. This organization documented 103 incidents related to human rights violations, 63 of which were linked to the lack of medical assistance and food insufficiency, reported Martí Noticias.
Raúl Enrique Medina, the center's press officer, highlighted that the health conditions of inmates have deteriorated, partly due to collective diseases such as dengue, tuberculosis, and chickenpox.
Deaths Due to Poor Medical Care
In August, Luis Franklin Ruiz died in Kilo 7 Prison in Camagüey, and Mario Benítez passed away in Prison 1580 in Havana due to deficient medical attention.
The report also highlights the dire food situation in prisons, where rations are insufficient and of poor quality. Medina noted that thefts of food brought by families are common and that spoiled food is frequently served.
Additionally, the report mentions the threats and reprisals faced by inmates who report abuses by prison staff. The documented human rights violations span more than 30 penitentiaries across 13 provinces and the Isle of Youth, indicating that these issues are widespread in the Cuban penitentiary system.
Medina concluded that the reports only reflect part of the severe situation, and the reality in Cuban prisons is much more alarming, failing to comply with the UN Nelson Mandela Rules on the treatment of prisoners.