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Prisoner Yosvany Sánchez, who was serving his sentence in a prison in the province of Mayabeque, passed away this Thursday due to health complications that, as reported by Cuban activists, were exacerbated by a lack of timely medical care in the facility.
"Prisoner Yosvany Sánchez, from Detachment 13 of the Quivicán prison, has just died. He had diarrhea, and when they took him to the infirmary to give him an IV, he passed away. They took too long to attend to him," wrote Alberto Fonseca, an activist and founder of Los Mambises, on Facebook.
This case is not isolated, as it adds to the recent deaths of other inmates under alarming conditions, such as Gerardo Díaz Alonso in October, whose family reported the lack of specialized treatment
Also that of Yosandri Mulet Almarales, a demonstrator from the July 11 protests who died in August after suffering severe physical deterioration that went unnoticed by the authorities.
The same as an inmate in Santiago de Cuba who died in early December, allegedly due to malnutrition.
However, the most notable case in recent months has been that of Manuel Jesús Guillén, a political prisoner from the 11J protests, whose death was reported in December.
His mother, Dania María Esplugas Falcó, in an interview with Martí Noticias, denied the official version 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.
These deaths have sparked a wave of criticism towards the Cuban regime for the inhumane conditions in prisons and the use of medical neglect as a repressive mechanism.
Various organizations have called for independent investigations and the respect of the basic rights of prisoners, while the Cuban government remains silent in the face of growing allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Negligence and Prison Conditions in Cuba
Why did Yosvany Sánchez die in the Mayabeque prison?
Yosvany Sánchez passed away due to a lack of timely medical attention in the Quivicán prison. Despite exhibiting symptoms of diarrhea, he did not receive care in time, which ultimately led to his death when he was finally taken to the infirmary for fluids.
What are the health conditions in Cuban prisons?
The health conditions in Cuban prisons are extremely precarious. Inmates suffer from malnutrition, infectious diseases without proper treatment, and medical negligence. These conditions have led to numerous deaths, including those of Gerardo Díaz Alonso and Yosandri Mulet Almarales, who died due to a lack of specialized medical care.
How has the Cuban government responded to allegations of deaths in custody?
The Cuban government has remained silent in the face of growing reports about the inhumane conditions in its prisons and the deaths of inmates. Authorities have not conducted independent investigations nor implemented significant improvements in the penitentiary system, despite international criticism and pressure from human rights organizations.
What role have activists and organizations played in highlighting the prison situation in Cuba?
Activists and organizations have been crucial in highlighting the situation of prisoners in Cuba, denouncing inhumane conditions, medical negligence, and the use of the prison system as a tool of repression. They have called for independent investigations and the respect of basic human rights for inmates, applying pressure on the Cuban regime at an international level.
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