Melanie Rodríguez Taboada, a 23-year-old Cuban, shared an emotional video this past Saturday in which she tearfully expressed the toll her brother's imprisonment has taken on their family. Her brother, Duannis Dabel León Taboada, a Cuban political prisoner, was sentenced to 14 years in prison following the July 11, 2021 protests.
The video, disseminated by activist Tania Tassé and the organization Alas Tensas, highlights the ongoing anguish faced by hundreds of families in Cuba. These families suffer the consequences of political imprisonment for their participation in peaceful protests on July 11, 2021.
In her testimony, Melanie declared, "My name is Melanie Rodríguez Taboada, and I am the sister of political prisoner Duannis Dabel León Taboada, who is serving a 14-year sentence in the maximum-security prison Combinado del Este. It has been five years since his imprisonment, and I am making this video because I feel like I can't bear it any longer."
The poignant question at the heart of her plea encapsulates the burden of their separation: "Must I wait 14 years to be with my brother and family again to find happiness?"
The Human Cost of Political Repression
Through tears, Melanie described the personal impact of political repression on her immediate circle: "I am exhausted. It hurts to endure so much, to live such a frustrating life with a lump in your throat, unable to speak out for fear of repercussions against you or your family."
She also spoke out against other instances of repression targeting young Cubans, including the case of Anna Bensi, a content creator sentenced on October 1, 2026, to two years of limited freedom for recording a MININT officer. "It hurts to see others, such as Anna Bensi, being taken away, and feel powerless to help."
Melanie concluded her message with a heartfelt wish: "If I could ask for one thing in this world, it would be for Cubans to be free. That would be my last wish before I die, the final thought in my mind would be that we are free."
Ongoing Struggles and Systematic Repression
Duannis Dabel León Taboada, a Cuban poet, was arrested on July 16, 2021, just five days after the July 11 protests, in Diez de Octubre, Havana. At the time, he was 19 years old. Initially sentenced to 21 years for sedition, his sentence was reduced to 14 years following an appeal, as documented.
Throughout his imprisonment at Combinado del Este, Duannis has faced a systematic pattern of retaliatory measures by the regime. In July 2025, he undertook a 12-day hunger strike, and after ending it, he was placed in solitary confinement.
In February 2026, he was assaulted by a prison official, and in April of the same year, he was again confined to a disciplinary cell for writing the words "freedom" and "justice" within the prison.
In August 2026, Duannis reported from Combinado del Este that inmates had gone three days without water, with each receiving only one bottle per day for drinking and bathing.
The repression has also extended to his family. In September 2025, one of his sisters was attacked by five women on the streets of Havana while a National Revolutionary Police officer watched without intervening.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures for Duannis and his mother, Yenisey Taboada Ortiz, on January 19, 2026, recognizing the severe and irreparable risks to their lives, integrity, and health.
Duannis's case is part of a broader pattern of mass repression. According to Justicia 11J, as of October 2026, 338 individuals remained sentenced for the July 11 protests within a larger count of 775 documented political prisoners, while Prisoners Defenders reported 1,306 political prisoners in Cuba as of June 2026.
Understanding the Plight of Political Prisoners in Cuba
What led to the imprisonment of Duannis Dabel León Taboada?
Duannis Dabel León Taboada was arrested for participating in the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba. Initially sentenced to 21 years for sedition, his sentence was later reduced to 14 years following an appeal process.
How has Duannis Dabel León Taboada been treated in prison?
Throughout his time at Combinado del Este, Duannis has faced numerous retaliatory actions, including solitary confinement and physical assault. He also undertook a hunger strike in 2025 to protest his conditions.
What measures have been taken to protect Duannis and his family?
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights issued precautionary measures for Duannis and his mother in January 2026, citing serious and irreparable risks to their well-being.