Two Cuban inmates have reportedly died in Boniato Prison, Santiago de Cuba, allegedly due to extreme malnutrition and neglect, as reported by human rights organizations. The non-governmental organization Cubalex identified the deceased as Giovanis Ortega and Irai Nieto, who died on February 1st and 2nd, respectively. They were housed in the notorious "underweight wing" of the prison where inmates face severe hunger and lack of medical care.
Cubalex has held the Cuban government accountable for the lives and well-being of individuals in their custody, highlighting these deaths as a stark example of the regime's negligence and the dire state of the country's prison system. As of now, Cuban authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the incident. However, human rights organizations continue to emphasize the urgent need for international oversight in the island's detention centers, where overcrowding, malnutrition, and inadequate healthcare have been documented.
The organization extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, while demanding immediate action to improve prison conditions across Cuba. This incident reignites concerns about the plight of inmates on the island and once again brings the humanitarian crisis within Cuban prisons to the forefront of discussions, particularly given the recent spate of deaths in these facilities over the past months.
In December 2024, inmate Frank Morales Cuesta also died in Boniato Prison. According to his relatives, his death might have been linked to tuberculosis, although they assert that malnutrition ultimately claimed his life. That same month, Jorge Luis Torres Vaillant, known as "El Trillizo" from El Salao, died after suffering from severe malnutrition while incarcerated in Santiago de Cuba. Sources close to him indicated that he had spent 28 days seeking medical attention for a persistent fever that was never adequately addressed.
Furthermore, in November 2024, Inoel Rodríguez Rodríguez, a 27-year-old prisoner with schizophrenia, died following a beating in Ariza Prison, Cienfuegos. A video shared by his family showed bruises all over his body, legs, head, face, arms, and back.
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), deaths due to malnutrition surged by 74.42% between 2022 and 2023, increasing from 43 to 75 fatalities. This rise underscores the severe food insecurity plaguing the island, affecting both the general population and inmates within Cuban prisons.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Prisons
What were the conditions like in Boniato Prison?
Inmates in Boniato Prison, particularly in the "underweight wing," faced severe hunger and a lack of medical care, leading to extreme malnutrition and neglect.
How has the Cuban government responded to these deaths?
As of now, the Cuban government has not issued any official statements regarding these incidents, despite calls for international oversight and improvements in prison conditions.
What is the broader impact of food insecurity in Cuba?
Food insecurity in Cuba is severe, with a 74.42% increase in deaths from malnutrition between 2022 and 2023, affecting both the general population and prisoners.