The death of Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas, a young political prisoner who allegedly died as a result of a beating by his jailers, according to reports from family and friends, continues to elicit voices of condemnation and outrage within Cuban civil society.
The singer Aymée Nuviola has been one of the latest voices raised to denounce the death in police custody of Guillén Esplugas, a young activist and member of the Unión Patriótica de Cuba (UNPACU), who was also the great-grandson of National Poet Nicolás Guillén. He was serving a six-year prison sentence for his involvement in the historic and massive protests of July 11, 2021 (11J).
"I stand in support of the mother of the young Cuban man who was killed in prison, named Manuel de Jesús, who participated in the protests on July 11 in Cuba. Watch this video and share it because we must echo the denunciation of the injustices of the Cuban tyranny," Nuviola stated on his social media.
The winner of two Latin Grammy Awards and nominated five times shared a video in which she appeared visibly outraged and stated that she could not remain silent "about what has happened once again."
"It is not the first time, and it will not be the last time that they kill, that they murder a person, a young Cuban, as they did now with the young political prisoner who protested on July 11 in Cuba, and whose mother has just made the complaint," said the singer.
Additionally, it echoed the words of Dania María Esplugas, the mother of the deceased young man, who recounted the circumstances surrounding Guillén Esplugas’s death and how she was informed of the incident by the authorities.
“She noticed that there was a police car circling outside her house. It seems they didn't have the nerve; they didn't know how on earth they were going to tell her that they had killed... that her son had died in prison, murdered,” reported the renowned Cuban artist.
Visibly upset and determined to report the incident and stand in solidarity with the victims, Nuviola encouraged her followers to speak out about what happened. "We cannot remain silent. We must denounce this," she stated on her Instagram account.
As the hours go by, social media is increasingly expressing outrage over the murder of Guillén Esplugas in prison. The 29-year-old was serving a six-year sentence at the Combinado del Este prison.
The regime informed the family that the young man took his own life, a claim that Yan Franco Esplugas, who identified himself on social media as the deceased's first cousin, has firmly denied.
Among the statements of condemnation, notable remarks came from the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, who spoke out on Monday regarding the death of Guillén Esplugas.
In a message posted on the social network X, Nichols expressed sorrow over the news, calling it "tragic" and highlighting the allegations of torture as part of the circumstances surrounding the young man's death in a Cuban prison.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Death 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 the great-grandson of National Poet Nicolás Guillén. He participated in the protests on July 11, 2021. He was incarcerated in the Combinado del Este prison, and his death under unclear circumstances has sparked outrage and condemnation from activists and Cuban opponents.
What circumstances surround the death of Guillén Esplugas in prison?
The death of Guillén Esplugas has been reported as a suspected homicide due to a beating inflicted by his jailers. The regime informed the family that the young man took his own life, a claim that has been firmly denied by his relatives, who assert that he was murdered in prison. This incident has garnered condemnation from within and outside of Cuba, including political figures and international activists.
How has the international community reacted to this incident?
The international community, including political figures and human rights organizations, has expressed its condemnation and concern over the repression in Cuba. There have been calls for an end to arbitrary detentions and for the release of political prisoners. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, described the news as tragic and highlighted reports of torture as part of the circumstances surrounding Guillén Esplugas's death.
What impact has the stance of public figures like Aymée Nuviola had?
Aymée Nuviola, a prominent Cuban singer, has used her platform to denounce the death of Guillén Esplugas and express solidarity with the victims of repression in Cuba. Her critical stance toward the Cuban regime and her call to denounce injustices have resonated on social media, helping to amplify international condemnation of the Cuban government's actions.
Filed under:
