Miguel Díaz Bauzá, an 81-year-old Cuban political prisoner, marks three decades of imprisonment under the island's communist regime this Tuesday. Convicted in 1994 to a 30-year sentence, Bauzá faced charges of "infiltration," "illegal entry into the country," "terrorism," and other alleged acts against state security. His arrest followed a landing on Cuba’s shores with the aim of sparking an armed uprising to overthrow the late dictator Fidel Castro, as reported by Cubanet.
Born on March 19, 1948, in Caibarién, now part of Villa Clara province, Bauzá is among Cuba's longest-held political prisoners. Over the years, he has been transferred through multiple prisons and currently resides in the "Campamento la 2" penitentiary in Remedios, Villa Clara. His health has significantly worsened in recent years, afflicted by conditions such as psoriasis, diabetes, hypertension, and circulation issues, according to his daughter, Karen María León.
The Journey from Chef to Political Prisoner
Before his capture, Díaz Bauzá lived in the United States, working as a chef in esteemed restaurants and dabbling in boxing during his youth. His life took a dramatic turn when he chose to return to his homeland with a group of dissidents, including Armando Sosa Fortuny, who regarded him as a “patriot” and admired his endurance against torture and mistreatment. Sosa Fortuny, who also faced a 30-year sentence, died in prison at the age of 76.
Family Visits and Recognition of Resistance
Despite his imprisonment, Bauzá remains steadfast in his fight for Cuba’s freedom. In recent years, the regime has allowed him periodic visits with his family, cherishing time with his granddaughters and great-grandchildren, as Cubanet noted. In 2020, his unwavering resistance was honored with the "Luis Boitel Freedom Award" by the Cuban Democratic Directorate, celebrating his leadership and bravery in the pursuit of liberty on the island.
Contrasts and Comparisons: A Fellow Prisoner’s Release
In 2023, the Cuban government released political prisoner Humberto Eladio Real Suárez, aged 55, after nearly 29 years of incarceration. Captured in 1994, Real Suárez landed in Cuba as part of a small expedition aiming to ignite an armed movement in the Escambray mountains. At 26, living in Miami, Florida, he joined a command group that included Sosa Fortuny and Díaz Bauzá. Following their landing, they engaged in a confrontation with Cuban military forces, which, according to the regime, resulted in the fatal shooting of a soldier. Originally sentenced to death, Real Suárez had his sentence commuted to 30 years in 2008.