Caridad Castro Ruiz revealed on Sunday that her son, Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro, has been released from prison. Kevin was one of the young individuals incarcerated for his involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests. He regained his freedom after fully serving a five-year sentence handed down for sedition.
"Today, July 26, the day of Saint Anne, I announce that my son Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro is coming home. I entrusted his return to Saint Anne, and she did not fail," she shared on Facebook.
Caridad emphasized that her son’s release was not due to a pardon or any penitentiary benefit.
"He is leaving with his release papers, having served his sentence to the last day. The waiting is over," she declared.
Background of the Arrest
According to Prisoners Defenders, Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro was arrested on July 27, 2021, at the age of 19, for his participation in the July 11 demonstrations near Toyo, in the Diez de Octubre municipality of Havana.
The prosecution initially demanded a 16-year prison term for sedition, but the Supreme Court later reduced the sentence during the appeal process to five years of imprisonment, as documented by Justicia 11J.
Health Issues and Advocacy
During his incarceration at San Miguel del Padrón's 1580 prison, his mother used social media as a platform to constantly highlight her son's deteriorating health and demand medical attention.
In recent months, her reports grew increasingly dire. Kevin developed a severe infection that began in his arm and spread to his chest. An ultrasound confirmed the presence of a pus accumulation and a mass several centimeters in size. According to Caridad, a prison doctor warned that delaying specialized medical care could worsen his condition.
"I have no one left to meet with, and my son continues with a chest full of fluid and a worsening infection," Caridad wrote in one of her posts.
She mentioned that her attempts to obtain urgent medical assistance from various penitentiary authorities were unsuccessful.
Protests and Hunger Strike
Frómeta Castro's situation was compounded by several protests within the prison. In March of this year, he initiated a hunger strike demanding proper medical attention. He ended the strike nine days later, having spent five of those days in solitary confinement.
The Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press (ICLEP) monitored the case and repeatedly reported on the young man's health conditions and the lack of response from prison authorities to his family's demands.
Moving Forward: Focus on Health
In her message announcing his release, Caridad expressed gratitude for the support received over the five years of her son's imprisonment.
"Thank you for the love from each person who, throughout these five years, was present, attentive, sharing a post, and supporting us in some way," she wrote.
She also requested privacy for the family to navigate this new chapter.
"The only thing that matters now is that he enjoys being with his family, his freedom, and peace. I respectfully ask for privacy in these days; we need calm, to attend to his health, and to build a future, recover hugs, and be together," she expressed.
Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro's release comes as hundreds remain imprisoned for their involvement in the July 11 protests. As reported by Justicia 11J, as of April 2026, 338 people were still incarcerated due to actions related to those demonstrations, which were among the largest anti-government protests in Cuba in decades.
Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro's Release and Its Implications
Why was Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro imprisoned?
Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro was imprisoned for his involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests in Havana, Cuba, and was charged with sedition.
How long was Kevin Damián Frómeta Castro's sentence?
Initially, the prosecution sought a 16-year sentence, but it was reduced to five years during the appeal process.
What were the health concerns during his imprisonment?
Kevin suffered from a severe infection that began in his arm and spread to his chest, requiring urgent medical attention that his mother fought to secure.