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The inmate Ramón Alayo Anglada, known as “Palmita,” has passed away last Wednesday in Boniato prison, located in the province of Santiago de Cuba, according to reports by the independent organization Cubalex.
The Cuban prisoner, who was in detention block 11, had been requesting medical assistance for a visible mass on the right side of his neck for several weeks, but never received a response from the authorities.
The Cubalex report specifies that, due to the worsening of his condition, he was transferred on March 17 to Ambrosio Grillo Hospital, located in the town of El Cobre, where he passed away on Wednesday, March 19. So far, the authorities have not revealed the official causes of his death.
Cubalex emphasized that this is not an isolated case, as in recent times, other prisoners have died without having received medical attention to save their lives.
So far in 2025, the organization has recorded at least nine deaths in the Boniato prison. In this facility, considered the most dangerous for the lives of inmates on the Island, Cubans are exposed to overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of medical care, and unsanitary conditions.
On March 1, the deaths of Giovanis Ferrer Verdecia, 46 years old, and Israel Cabrera were reported, occurring under “inhumane conditions.”
These individuals deprived of liberty are under the direct custody of the State, and thus the penitentiary authorities are responsible for ensuring their life, integrity, and access to basic services such as health care and food, as highlighted by Cubalex.
That is why the death of an inmate is not considered an accident, but rather a "serious violation of human rights and an institutional failure that must be investigated and punished."
In Boniato, the deaths of prisoners Giovanis Ortega and Irai Nieto occurred in early February, allegedly due to extreme malnutrition and neglect, in Detachment No. 2 of the Boniato prison, known as the “low weight floor,” where inmates face conditions of extreme hunger and lack of medical care.
A few weeks later, the inmate of Detachment No. 13 Osbety Girón, 51 years old, lost his life due to tuberculosis, after spending several days hospitalized. The detachment was put under quarantine due to the risk of disease spread among the prison population.
Frequently Asked Questions about Deaths and Prison Conditions in Cuba
Why did Ramón Alayo Anglada die in the Boniato prison?
Ramón Alayo Anglada passed away due to a lack of adequate medical care in the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba. Despite having requested medical assistance for a mass in his neck, he did not receive the necessary attention, which led to his transfer to the hospital, where he died. This case is not isolated and highlights a severe violation of human rights in Cuban prisons.
How many inmate deaths have been recorded in the Boniato prison in 2025?
As of 2025, at least nine deaths have been recorded in the Boniato prison, according to the organization Cubalex. These deaths have been attributed to inhumane conditions, lack of medical care, malnutrition, and neglect, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Cuban prisons.
What conditions do inmates face in Cuban prisons?
In Cuban prisons, inmates face overcrowding, malnutrition, lack of medical attention, and unsanitary conditions. These factors contribute to an environment where diseases spread easily, and the lives of inmates are constantly at risk, as Cubalex has repeatedly reported.
What is being done to address the prison crisis in Cuba?
Until now, the Cuban authorities have not taken significant measures to address the prison crisis, despite international criticism and reports from human rights organizations. Calls for independent investigations and urgent actions to improve prison conditions and ensure the respect for human rights have been made.
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