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A young Cuban man, arrested for demanding the restoration of electricity service in the municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey, is currently on a hunger strike in prison, his wife reported to media outlets based in South Florida.
According to information published by Martí Noticias, Nelson Caballero Díaz, who has been detained since October 18, is currently on a hunger strike in the Cerámica Roja prison in the Camagüey province.
According to statements from his wife, Daimara Aliaga, "until Friday he was on hunger strike, but nothing had been done to him, he has not been called, (nor has he been taken) to the hunger strike cell or anything like that. There was no report anywhere that he was on hunger strike."
The wife added that Caballero Díaz, 24 years old and father of two children, "is not eating anything."
Days after his arrest, this young man stated that he would rather die than remain imprisoned for an unjust cause, according to a report from the non-governmental organization Cubalex in X.
Family members of the young man told Martí Noticias that Caballero Díaz went out to protest the power outages in his community of Jimaguayú, where neighbors participated with pot-banging and peaceful slogans.
However, during his detention, the authorities and a group of informants violently beat him until several neighbors intervened to stop the assault.
He was transferred to the hospital due to his injuries. There, the doctors recommended "monitoring for possible signs of neurological alarm," according to information provided to Cubalex.
His wife was informed of this situation the day after his arrest, at two in the morning, by a case officer who identified herself as Ali.
The accusations the regime has made against him include the attack and "incitement to commit crimes," all deemed unjust given that his protest was peaceful.
The case of this young father reflects the experiences of many Cubans who have been targeted by authorities for speaking out against the crisis facing the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Nelson Caballero Díaz in Cuba
Why was Nelson Caballero Díaz arrested in Jimaguayú?
Nelson Caballero Díaz was arrested for peacefully protesting against the blackouts in his community of Jimaguayú, Camagüey. The authorities accused him of offenses such as assault and incitement to commit a crime, despite the protest being peaceful and non-violent.
What does it mean that Nelson Caballero Díaz is "planted" in prison?
Being "planted" in prison means that Nelson Caballero Díaz has declared a hunger strike, refusing to eat in protest of what he considers an unjust imprisonment. This action is a form of resistance used by political prisoners in Cuba.
What has been the Cuban regime's response to the protests over power outages?
The Cuban regime has responded to the protests against power outages with arbitrary detentions and repression. Authorities have accused demonstrators of public disorder and other charges, often without evidence of violence from the protesters, who primarily engage in banging pots and pans and chanting peaceful slogans.
What impact does the detention of protest leaders have on their families?
The arrest of protest leaders like Nelson Caballero Díaz puts their families in precarious situations. In his case, his wife has sought help to feed their two young children, as he was the sole breadwinner for the family. These arbitrary arrests have a profound impact on both the detainees and their loved ones.
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