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An inmate identified as Jorge Luis Torres Vaillant passed away after suffering from severe malnutrition while incarcerated in Detachment #16 of a prison in Santiago de Cuba.
Torres Vaillant, known as "El Trillizo" and originally from El Salao, spent 28 days seeking medical assistance due to a persistent fever that was never properly treated, according to a statement by Ana Belkis Ferrer García, the wife of the opposition leader and political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer García.
The complainant stated that although he was transferred to the medical station several times, he was immediately returned to his cell without receiving adequate attention. His health deteriorated rapidly until he was admitted ten days ago.
On December 8, authorities granted him an extrapenal license, a measure that, according to sources close to the situation, aimed to shift the responsibility for his death outside the prison context.
Jorge Luis passed away on the 9th at his home, in critical conditions of malnutrition and unable to respond to the medical treatments, including the administered IV fluids.
This tragic event adds to a string of recent deaths in Cuban prisons.
On December 1st, activists reported the murder of Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas, a political prisoner from the 11J, in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana.
His mother, Dania María Esplugas Falcó, denied the official account that attributed the young man's death to suicide and accused the prison authorities of murdering him, covering up the crime, and lying to his family.
A few days later, on December 3, the death of Frank Morales Cuesta was reported in the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, which his family attributed to malnutrition and medical neglect.
In addition to the deaths, there have been recent reports of beatings and repression in Cuban prisons.
On December 2nd, José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), confirmed that he was brutally beaten in the Mar Verde prison in Santiago de Cuba by military personnel serving the regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prison Crisis and Human Rights in Cuba
What happened to Jorge Luis Torres Vaillant in the prison of Santiago de Cuba?
Jorge Luis Torres Vaillant, also known as "El Trillizo," passed away due to severe malnutrition while incarcerated in Boniato prison, Santiago de Cuba. He spent 28 days requesting medical attention for a persistent fever, which was not adequately treated, contributing to his critical health condition. Ultimately, he died at home after being granted a medical leave that aimed to shift the responsibility for his death outside the prison system.
What is the situation of prisons in Cuba according to recent reports?
Prisons in Cuba face serious issues of malnutrition, lack of medical care, and inhumane conditions. Independent reports indicate that at least 95 people have died in custody over the past five years, with more than 40 inmate deaths occurring just in 2024. These reports highlight police violence, medical negligence, and the deplorable conditions encountered by prisoners, particularly political detainees.
What actions have been taken internationally concerning the situation of prisoners in Cuba?
The international community has expressed its concern over the repression in Cuba and has called for an end to arbitrary detentions and the release of political prisoners. Political figures and human rights organizations have urged the implementation of sanctions and concrete measures against the Cuban government to address these human rights violations and improve the conditions of those detained.
What complaints have the relatives of political prisoners in Cuba made?
Family members of political prisoners in Cuba have reported inhumane treatment and degrading conditions that their loved ones are subjected to. There have been reports of physical and psychological torture, lack of adequate medical care, and severe restrictions on family contact, all of which worsen the well-being and health of the inmates. These allegations aim to generate international pressure to improve prison conditions and achieve their release.
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