As the hours go by, the rejection of the prison murder of Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas grows on social media. He was a young political prisoner and also the great-grandson of Cuba's National Poet, Nicolás Guillén.
Guillén Esplugas, 29, was serving a six-year sentence at the Combinado del Este prison in Havana for his participation in the protests of July 11th.
The regime informed the family that the young man took his own life, something that Yan Franco Esplugas, who identified himself on social media as the deceased's first cousin, has strongly denied.
In recent hours, some have compared the different fates of Nicolás Guillén's descendant with that of Sandro Castro, grandson of Fidel Castro, who is preparing to celebrate his birthday in grand style.
“El bisnieto del poeta Nicolás Guillén, preso político, es beaten to death in prison.Fidel Castro's grandson posts obscene content on his Instagram.duckfaces"While announcing her birthday party at her junior entrepreneur bar," Caterina Camastra wrote on Facebook, noting that "it would be comedy if it weren't a tragedy."
A recurring phrase on social media has been that "the revolution devours its children," referring to the close relationship Nicolás Guillén maintained with the regime for decades.
"So many medals, Nicolás Guillén, and the one you had to shut out today killed your great-grandson. The revolution devours its own children. To the dictatorship: shut the wall. To those who persecute and murder those who hold different opinions: shut the wall," denounced Cati de Luca.
There have been frequent references to Guillén's poetry to denounce the injustice that has now victimized a member of the poet's family.
"'I have, let's see, I have what I was supposed to have.' When Nicolás Guillén wrote 'Tengo,' he could not have imagined that decades later his own descendants would suffer the violence of the regime he so illusorily defended, to which he sang and dedicated his poems. Yes. Nicolás Guillén's great-grandson, Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas, has been brutally murdered in a Cuban prison," wrote Daykel Angulo.
"Her crime: to peacefully protest on July 11, 2021... I turn my eyes, I look, I see myself and touch, and I wonder how this could have happened..." Angulo added.
"We urge democratic governments to intervene to achieve justice for Manuel de Jesús and for all our martyrs. We demand that Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro put an end to the brutal repression, ensure the freedom of #SOSFerrer and all political prisoners, and step down from power. Our condolences to family and friends. Rest in peace, Manuel de Jesús; may our Lord receive you in His holy embrace," wrote Ana Belkis Ferrer, sister of the political prisoner José Daniel Ferrer.
A member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and a promoter of Cuba Decide, in 2023 the young protester from the 11J had already spent over a year and a half in prison without a trial date being set or the prosecution's request being communicated.
Her mother, Dania María Esplugas, filed a second Habeas Corpus petition with the Provincial Court of Havana, demanding her immediate release, after the first request was dismissed in January by the State Security chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
The case of Guillén Esplugas has been highlighted by opponents as an example of the legal violations committed by the Cuban regime in cases related to the social outbreak of July 11th.
Residing in Old Havana, the young man was violently arrested on July 17, 2021, by State Security agents after he shared videos on social media documenting his participation in the protests of July 11.
Nicolás Guillén, national poet aligned with Castroism.
Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas' great-grandfather, Nicolás Guillén (1902-1989), is one of the most prominent Cuban poets of the 20th century, recognized as the literary voice of Afro-Cuban identity and social struggle on the island.
Guillén's work, deeply rooted in the popular and cultural traditions of Cuba, blended social, political, and lyrical poetry with the unique rhythms of son cubano. As the author of emblematic works such as Motivos de Son (1930) and El son entero (1947), Guillén explored themes such as racial inequality, national identity, and social justice, establishing himself as a central figure in the Afrocuban literary movement.
Nicolás Guillén's relationship with the Cuban government was characterized by a deep ideological affinity and active collaboration following the Revolution's triumph in 1959. Guillén, who had early expressed an inclination towards Marxism and socialist ideas, found in Fidel Castro's government a realization of his ideals of social justice and the transformation of oppressive structures in Cuba.
His support for the regime was explicit and constant, to the point of becoming a cultural representative of the government both on and off the island.
Guillén held significant positions in the cultural sphere, serving as president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC) from its founding in 1961 until his death in 1989.
In this role, Guillén was a strong advocate for the "cultural policies of the Revolution," aligning himself with state guidelines in promoting literature committed to the values of socialism. This closeness to power placed him in an ambivalent position regarding censorship and the restrictions imposed on other intellectuals who did not fully share the official line.
His position as an institutional figure linked him to decisions that sidelined writers and artists due to their critical stances or because they did not conform to the norms of "socialist realism."
Internationally, Guillén played a key role as a cultural ambassador for the Cuban government, leveraging his literary prestige to project a positive image of the Revolution.
The number of deaths among Cuban prisoners is on the rise.
The non-governmental organization Cubalex, specialized in monitoring human rights in Cuba and providing free legal assistance on the island, published a report on repression in the country during the first half of 2024, which resulted in 26 deaths in custody.
Conditions in Cuban prisons remain alarming, with evidence of torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, and a severe lack of medical care that contributes to deaths in custody.
The figure is even more striking when looking back over the past two years, during which there have been 56 deaths of individuals in the custody of the country's authorities, with death as the final outcome of these cases.
Currently, the Cuban regime has 554 people imprisoned for participating in the protests of July 11 in dozens of cities and towns across Cuba, the largest recorded in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Murder of Manuel de Jesús Guillén and Repression in Cuba
Who was Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas?
Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas was a Cuban political prisoner, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) and a promoter of Cuba Decide. He participated in the protests of July 11, 2021, and was confined in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana. His assassination was reported under circumstances not clarified by the authorities, which has sparked outrage and denunciations from activists and Cuban opponents.
What is known about the conditions of political prisoners in Cuba?
The conditions of political prisoners in Cuba are alarming, with reports of torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, and inadequate medical care. Reports indicate that Cuban prisons suffer from severe shortages of food and hygiene products, contributing to a deplorable health state among detainees. Activists and international organizations have demanded improvements in prison conditions and the release of political prisoners.
How has the international community reacted to the repression in Cuba?
The international community has expressed concern over the repression in Cuba, with calls from political figures and human rights organizations to put an end to arbitrary detentions and to release political prisoners. The U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs and members of the European Parliament have requested sanctions and concrete actions against the Cuban government.
What is the current situation of José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU?
José Daniel Ferrer, leader of UNPACU, remains incarcerated under conditions that have been reported as cruel and inhumane. He has been subjected to beatings and is in a deteriorating state of health, leading to concerns from his family and the international community. Despite this, Ferrer remains committed to the struggle for freedom and human rights in Cuba.
What have the families of the political prisoners reported about the treatment they receive?
Relatives of political prisoners in Cuba have reported the inhumane treatment and degrading conditions to which their loved ones are subjected. There are reports of physical and psychological torture, lack of medical care, and severe restrictions on contact with their families, which exacerbate their health and well-being. These accusations aim to generate international pressure to improve the conditions of the prisoners and achieve their release.
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