Relatives of Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, a political prisoner and protester from the July 11th demonstrations in Cuba, have reported instances of abuse against her at the Guamajal women's prison in Villa Clara, as highlighted by the news outlet Cubanet. Lisdiani, sentenced to eight years for charges including contempt, disobedience, and assault, has reportedly been subjected to mistreatment by prison officials, according to accounts from her mother and sister.
Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac, Lisdiani's twin, recounted that Major Alberiche, head of the internal unit in Villa Clara, entered Lisdiani's cell unsupervised by female staff. He allegedly approached her bed, uncovered her, and demanded she stand at attention. This action blatantly violates prison regulations, which prohibit male officers from entering women's cells without female accompaniment.
The young woman, who was also sentenced for her involvement in the July 11th protests in Placetas but is currently on parole after giving birth, shared that the officer threatened to place her sister in solitary confinement and later took her to an office where she was assaulted. An inmate reportedly informed the family that Lisdiani was silenced during the attack to prevent her screams and was subsequently denied her scheduled visit, preventing her family from seeing the bruises inflicted on her.
Systematic Abuse Against the "Placetas Twins"
Known as the "Placetas twins" in campaigns advocating for the release of July 11th prisoners in Cuba, Lisdiani and her sister have faced ongoing abuse at Guamajal prison. Both sisters are serving eight-year sentences due to their participation in the 11J protests in Placetas in 2021. These reports of abuse highlight the oppressive tactics used against political prisoners under the Cuban regime.