The Spanish newspaper ABC has unveiled a startling cover this Wednesday, featuring photographs of Cuban political prisoner Alexander Díaz Rodríguez. These images starkly illustrate the drastic change in his appearance from 2018 to his current state of physical decline.
The photos depict a 45-year-old man who now looks over 65, with his ribs and bones prominently visible beneath his skin, following five years of imprisonment under the regime's harsh conditions.
An exclusive interview was conducted by Camila Acosta, ABC's correspondent in Havana, and appeared on pages 28 and 29 of the publication.
"I was held in Cuban punishment cells, beaten, and left hungry and cold," Díaz Rodríguez reveals. He was arrested during the July 11, 2021 protests in the Artemisa province and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of public disorder.
He summarized his ordeal to the newspaper by stating, "They destroyed me."
Upon entering prison, he weighed 81 kilograms; upon release, his weight was a mere 37 kilograms. His physical decline is the most harrowing evidence of the conditions he endured during incarceration.
During his time in prison, he received no adequate cancer treatment nor proper medical care, as he recounted in the interview.
Now that he is free, he admits to living in fear: "I am afraid they might do something to me on the street."
His situation is not unique. Human rights organizations report that 65% of political prisoners in Cuba are 11J protesters, highlighting the extent of the repression by the Cuban regime against those who took to the streets on that momentous day of demonstrations.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Political Prisoners
What events led to Alexander Díaz Rodríguez's imprisonment?
Alexander Díaz Rodríguez was arrested during the protests on July 11, 2021, in Artemisa, Cuba, and was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of public disorder.
How has Díaz Rodríguez's health been affected by his imprisonment?
During his incarceration, Díaz Rodríguez lost significant weight, dropping from 81 to 37 kilograms, and did not receive appropriate cancer treatment or medical care.
What percentage of Cuban political prisoners are linked to the 11J protests?
According to human rights organizations, 65% of political prisoners in Cuba are individuals who participated in the 11J protests.