Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez, a Cuban political prisoner and participant in the July 11 protests in Havana, has died at the age of 27 over the weekend in the capital city.
The human rights group Prisoners Defenders reported that the young man, who was serving a 12-year sentence for sedition, was released on a medical parole just days before his passing after suffering a stroke.
"You know they grant these people medical parole only when they are about to die," an activist claimed in a recording circulating on social media.
Oña Jiménez had been held at Panama Prison in the Güines municipality of Mayabeque, which houses HIV/AIDS patients.
Over more than four years in prison, without adequate medical care, enduring poor nutrition and abusive conditions, his health deteriorated significantly, ultimately leading to a cerebral ischemia that left him in a critical state, unable to move his mouth, hands, or feet.
"They gave him a medical parole and sent him to Julio Trigo Hospital near his home. He was discharged from the hospital three days ago, and he died," the activist emphasized.
Activist Avana de la Torre expressed sorrow over the incident in a Facebook post, condemning the regime for releasing him from prison only when his condition was beyond recovery.
"This was not a natural death. It was a direct consequence of a cruel, negligent, and repressive penal system that punishes, neglects, and allows those who dare to demand freedom to die. He was released not to save him but to avoid public accountability for his death in custody," she stated.
"Releasing him when he was already gravely ill is not mercy. It's a cover-up. It's a recurring practice of the regime: letting the prisoner out when they are on the brink of death to avoid handling the body inside the prison," she added.
Luis Miguel was among the hundreds of Cubans who took to the streets in July 2021 in the La Güinera neighborhood of Arroyo Naranjo, where he lived, to demand freedom. He was arrested the next day and remained imprisoned until now.
Charged with sedition, he was sentenced by the Havana Provincial Court to 14 years in prison.
In June 2022, during a cassation trial held in the Supreme Court's State Security Crimes Chamber, his sentence was reduced by two years, considering Oña Jiménez's age, just 23 at the time.
According to Prisoners Defenders, as of January 2026, the number of political prisoners in Cuba had risen to 1,207, following the confirmation of 18 new prisoners of conscience.
Impact of the Cuban Regime on Political Prisoners
What led to Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez's imprisonment?
Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez was imprisoned for his participation in the July 11, 2021 protests in Havana, demanding freedom. He was charged with sedition and sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
Why was Luis Miguel released on medical parole?
Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez was released on medical parole after suffering a severe health decline due to a stroke. However, activists claim this measure was taken only when his death seemed imminent.
What are the conditions like for political prisoners in Cuba?
Political prisoners in Cuba often face harsh conditions, including inadequate medical care, poor nutrition, and abusive treatment, which can severely deteriorate their health.