Just over a week after regaining his freedom, Alexander Díaz Rodríguez, a former Cuban political prisoner, shared the harrowing experiences he endured during his five-year incarceration in the regime's prisons. His testimony was featured in a video released by opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer García.
Díaz Rodríguez, 45, a native of Cárdenas, Matanzas, was arrested during the July 11, 2021 protests and sentenced to five years for "sedition" and "disrespect." Throughout his sentence, he received no leniency from the authorities.
In the video, Ferrer introduced the footage with a stark warning: "Eight days after his release, Alexander Díaz Rodríguez summarizes in this video many of the ordeals he faced in what are essentially modern-day concentration camps under the Castro communist regime."
During his account, Díaz Rodríguez detailed his journey through various prisons and the relentless physical and verbal abuse he suffered.
The Struggle Behind Bars
In an interview with NTN24 following his release, Díaz Rodríguez elaborated: "It was incredibly tough for me. I endured numerous hardships due to my principles and convictions, facing multiple punishment cells—around 11 or 12—and severe physical and verbal mistreatment."
Despite his current state, he summed up his condition with a brief statement: "I'm a bit thin, but alive."
Grim Health Consequences
The numbers behind his words are alarming. Upon entering prison, he weighed 81 kilograms; by the time of his release in April 2026, he weighed only 37 kilograms, a drastic loss of 44 kilograms over five years. He left prison suffering from advanced thyroid cancer, hepatitis B, and severe malnutrition.
His thyroid cancer was diagnosed in October 2022 while still incarcerated, but he received inadequate oncological treatment. In April 2025, he was briefly hospitalized at Abel Santamaría due to vomiting blood before being transferred to a correctional facility in Cabo de San Antonio for forced labor, still without proper cancer care.
In July 2025, the organization Cubalex reported that Díaz Rodríguez was on a hunger strike at the Kilo 5 y Medio prison in Pinar del Río. The organization stated that "Lieutenant Colonel Luis, the head of the prison's medical unit, refuses to provide the necessary medications for his health condition and has not authorized a medical diet, despite Alexander suffering from severe malnutrition." Cubalex warned: "Alexander's life is at risk."
His mother, Moraima Rodríguez Batista, publicly revealed her son's dire situation in May 2025, pleading, "I just want my son to live. He has cancer and is deteriorating."
Following Díaz Rodríguez's release, the U.S. Embassy in Havana expressed concern over his deteriorated state and indicated it would explore options to assist him, including the possibility of granting a humanitarian visa for medical treatment in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alexander Díaz Rodríguez's Incarceration
What led to Alexander Díaz Rodríguez's imprisonment?
Alexander Díaz Rodríguez was arrested during the protests on July 11, 2021, and sentenced to five years for the charges of "sedition" and "disrespect."
How did his health suffer during his imprisonment?
During his incarceration, Díaz Rodríguez lost 44 kilograms, developed advanced thyroid cancer, hepatitis B, and suffered severe malnutrition, without receiving appropriate medical treatment.
What actions have been taken by international entities post-release?
The U.S. Embassy in Havana has shown concern about Díaz Rodríguez's health and is considering options to assist him, possibly including a humanitarian visa for treatment in the U.S.