Yoennis Domínguez de la Rosa, a young Cuban who was sentenced to five years in prison for filming and sharing videos of a police confrontation in Santiago de Cuba, was released on Saturday, January 20. This release is part of an agreement between the regime in Havana, the Vatican, and the United States.
Domínguez de la Rosa was initially sentenced to incarceration for five years after he shared footage on social media of clashes between residents and military forces in the Nuevo Vista Alegre neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. These events unfolded following the tragic assault of an eight-year-old girl in February 2020.
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights reported that his release was tied to a deal involving the removal of Cuba from the United States' list of state sponsors of terrorism, in exchange for the release of 553 prisoners on the island. Domínguez had nearly completed his sentence but was freed earlier due to the harsh conditions he endured in prison, as reported by his mother.
"They tortured him in prison, made him sleep on the floor for 21 days. He was urinating blood, and the Lieutenant Colonel told me, 'dogs don't get medical care,'" his mother recounted several months ago.
She also highlighted the ongoing harassment by the State Security towards her family, which has profoundly affected her children and grandchildren.
In addition to Domínguez, several other protesters from the July 11 demonstrations, such as opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, both political prisoners from the 2003 Black Spring, have been released as part of this agreement.
Key Details on Recent Cuban Prisoner Releases
Why was Yoennis Domínguez de la Rosa imprisoned?
He was imprisoned for filming and disseminating videos of police confrontations in Santiago de Cuba following the assault of a young girl in 2020.
What led to his early release?
His early release was part of an agreement involving Cuba's removal from the U.S. terrorism sponsor list and the release of 553 prisoners. He also faced severe mistreatment in prison.
Who else was released under this agreement?
Other notable releases include opposition leaders José Daniel Ferrer and Félix Navarro, who were also political prisoners from the 2003 Black Spring.