The Cuban government has once again resorted to the tactic of forced relocation as a punitive measure against political prisoners. Recently, activists Ángel Cuza and Walnier Luis Aguilar were transferred from Combinado del Este in Havana to prisons located in Artemisa and Matanzas, respectively.
These prisoners, known for their dissent against the government, were removed from the Havana prison under the pretext of being on a list of inmates allegedly planning a hunger strike, according to their families.
Wilber Aguilar, Walnier's father, detailed that his son was moved on Monday to the Agüica prison in Matanzas, nearly 200 kilometers from their home in the Cuban capital.
"This is an abuse," Aguilar's father declared, refuting claims that his son intended to go on a hunger strike. He is awaiting a phone call from his son, now in the Matanzas high-security facility where opposition figure Félix Navarro is also held.
Meanwhile, activist Ángel Cuza was relocated on Sunday to Guanajay prison in Artemisa province under similar pretenses.
In an audio clip released by journalist Yaima Pardo, Cuza reported being isolated in a solitary cell, with no contact with other inmates. "I'm supposed to have a visit tomorrow. Let's see how things are here. I'm in a sealed-off cell alone," Cuza narrated.
Isolation as Punishment: A Tool of Cuban Repression
The relocation of these dissidents reflects a common practice by the Cuban regime, which uses distance as a punishment for political prisoners and their families. This tactic creates significant challenges for families trying to visit their loved ones.
Numerous human rights organizations have consistently condemned this form of prison repression, employed by Miguel Díaz-Canel's government to undermine the resolve of prisoners of conscience by isolating them from their familial and social networks.
Independent media and human rights groups have documented many instances where such measures are not motivated by logistical or judicial needs but serve as psychological and coercive tools to isolate prisoners, limit family visits, and restrict communication.
In June 2023, CiberCuba reported that five 11J protesters were abruptly relocated from Agüica prison (Matanzas) without prior notice to their families, in what activists labeled as punitive transfers.
Similarly, in May 2025, it was reported that authorities denied the transfer of political prisoner Eider Frómeta to a prison in his home province, prolonging his isolation and making it difficult for his family to visit him.
The current situation of Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera and Ángel Cuza fits this repressive pattern. Both were initially held at Combinado del Este in Havana and recently moved to prisons in Matanzas and Artemisa, respectively, under the guise of a supposed hunger strike.
Wilber Aguilar Bravo, Walnier's father, has repeatedly spoken out against police harassment and the regime's retaliation against families of political prisoners.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted him precautionary measures in 2025, acknowledging the severity of his situation. Aguilar Bravo, now a prominent voice among the families of the 11J detainees, has publicly stated that "the dictatorship punishes even mothers and fathers for demanding justice."
On the other hand, Ángel Cuza has faced repeated detentions due to his civic work. In 2023, he was arrested following his participation in a peaceful protest in Havana and spent several weeks incommunicado in a punishment cell, as reported by opposition organizations.
These cases illustrate a consistent pattern of institutional persecution: dispersing political prisoners to far-off prisons, cutting off their communication, and emotionally wearing down their families—a policy the Cuban authorities uphold despite international outcry.
Understanding the Impact of Prisoner Relocation in Cuba
Why does the Cuban government transfer political prisoners to distant locations?
The Cuban government uses the transfer of political prisoners to distant prisons as a punitive measure to isolate them from their families and diminish their resolve by complicating visits and communication.
How does the relocation affect the families of political prisoners?
Family members face significant hardships, as distant relocations make visits challenging and expensive, thereby straining family connections and support systems.