Yasser Fernando Rodríguez González, a Cuban political prisoner who has been incarcerated for more than six years, has begun a hunger strike at the Augusto César Sandino Penitentiary Center—commonly known as the Combinado de Sandino in Pinar del Río. This protest comes in response to the alleged mistreatment he endures under the orders of First Lieutenant Luis Enrique Polueda Camejo.
Images released by Brito News paint a heartbreaking picture: the man seen in recent photos barely resembles the individual who was detained in November 2020. He has lost a significant amount of weight, his head is shaved, his face is gaunt, and he has reportedly lost his teeth during his time in prison. The comparative infographics from Brito News starkly state, "This is how the Cuban dictatorship has destroyed Yasser Fernando Rodríguez."
Health Neglect in Cuban Prisons
Rodríguez González suffers from hepatitis, and according to reports, he is not receiving the medical care necessary for his condition, putting his life at considerable risk.
The deterioration visible in the images is not coincidental; Rodríguez has a documented history of facing retaliation and enduring inhumane conditions. In May 2026, he alerted Martí Noticias from the same prison about the dire food situation: "We receive between 10 to 20 grams of rice. In the morning, breakfast is a tiny piece of bread the size of a dime and some sugarless soda."
He further described the main meals as "minced meat that's mostly water, pasta with worms, and broth made from root vegetable water," while warning of a severe disease outbreak affecting over 200 inmates: "There's a virus they claim is Hepatitis, but it must be anemia; once your defenses are down, anything can strike. Some have died, others are hospitalized, vomiting and passing blood."
Documented Prison Conditions and Political Repression
The organization Prisoners Defenders has documented that the caloric intake in the Cuban prison system ranges from 250 to 353 calories per day, significantly lower than the 2,000 to 2,500 calories an average adult needs.
Rodríguez González was arrested on November 25, 2020—the anniversary of Fidel Castro's death—after he posted a video on Facebook urging Cubans to unite against the dictatorship and place opposition posters on the facade of his home in Los Sitios, Havana. He was charged with "acts against state security" and "incitement to rebellion," and sentenced to seven years in prison.
As a testament to his beliefs, he tattooed on his abdomen the phrase "Down with the Castros and the communist henchmen who rule Cuba."
This is not his first experience with retaliation. In August 2021, guards at Combinado del Este staged a public denunciation against him, placed him in solitary confinement, and confiscated all his belongings, including soap, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. In March 2022, he reported being beaten and threatened in Valle Grande prison, where the head of internal order threatened to "make him disappear" for informing the independent press. The report further alleged that other inmates at Combinado de Sandino are also subjected to torture and mistreatment.
"His only crime was expressing his ideas and demanding freedom for Cuba. His case must not be forgotten," concludes Brito News, calling for international human rights organizations to investigate the conditions at this penal facility.
Understanding the Plight of Cuban Political Prisoners
What prompted Yasser Fernando Rodríguez González to start a hunger strike?
Yasser Fernando Rodríguez González initiated a hunger strike to protest the alleged abuse he suffers in prison under the orders of a prison official.
What health issues does Rodríguez González face in prison?
Rodríguez González suffers from hepatitis and is reportedly not receiving the necessary medical treatment, which endangers his life.
What are the conditions like in Cuban prisons according to reports?
Cuban prisons are reported to have extremely low caloric intake rates for inmates, with documented cases of inhumane conditions and insufficient food provisions.