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The Cuban Prison Documentation Center confirmed the death of the political prisoner Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez, who passed away on the morning of February 11 at the El Guatao Forced Labor Camp in Havana.
The exact causes of his death are still unknown, but various reports indicate that he had been experiencing health issues for months without receiving the necessary medical attention.
Oviedo Rodríguez, 44 years old and mother of two children, was imprisoned after participating in a peaceful protest on October 10, 2022 in the municipality of Güines, Mayabeque province, against the prolonged blackouts affecting the population.
On November 20, 2023, she was sentenced to five years in prison.
Refusal to hand over the body to her family
The activist Marcel Valdés reported that the prison authorities initially refused to hand over the body to his family.
His son quickly went to the prison to obtain information, and they assured him that the body would be delivered at 7 PM last night.
Almost 24 hours later, the remains of Oviedo Rodríguez were transferred under heavy security to the funeral home at Calzada and K, in Havana.
The death of Yoleisy has sparked strong outrage among activists and Cuban opponents, who believe she was a victim of a systematic strategy by the government to break political prisoners.
“Deaths in Cuba's prisons are becoming increasingly common, reflecting a penitentiary system where incarcerated individuals face mistreatment, extreme malnutrition, and diseases without medical attention, with no access to justice or the minimum conditions required to survive,” denounced Cubalex.
"We express our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez. Her name will not be forgotten. We will continue to denounce human rights violations in Cuba," they added.
Activists and human rights organizations have reported that conditions in Cuban prisons are inhuman, especially for political prisoners, who are regularly subjected to torture, hunger, and medical neglect.
The case of Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez adds to a growing list of political prisoners, or common prisoners, who have lost their lives while in custody of the regime, several of them in recent months.
This week, two Cuban inmates died in the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, allegedly due to extreme malnutrition and neglect, according to reports from human rights organizations.
Last year, Cubalex, specialized in monitoring human rights in Cuba and offering free legal assistance on the island, published a report on the repression in the country during the first half of 2024, which resulted in 26 deaths in custody.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Death of Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez and Prison Conditions in Cuba
Who was Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez and why was she in prison?
Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez was a 44-year-old Cuban mother imprisoned for participating in a peaceful protest against power outages in October 2022. She was sentenced to five years in prison in November 2023 and died at the El Guatao Forced Labor Camp in Havana. Her imprisonment and death reflect the systematic repression of the Cuban regime against those who peacefully express their dissent.
What do activists denounce about the conditions in prisons in Cuba?
Activists and human rights organizations report that conditions in Cuban prisons are inhumane, with political prisoners facing mistreatment, extreme malnutrition, and medical neglect. These conditions have led to numerous deaths, including that of Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez, whose lack of adequate medical care was a determining factor in her passing.
How has the Cuban government reacted to reports of deaths in prison?
The Cuban government has remained silent in the face of increasing reports about the inhumane conditions in prisons and the deaths of inmates. No independent investigations have been conducted nor have any significant improvements been implemented in the penitentiary system, despite international criticism and that of human rights organizations.
What impact do the deaths of political prisoners have on the visibility of the situation in Cuba?
The deaths of political prisoners have highlighted human rights violations in Cuba and have increased international pressure on the Cuban regime. These tragedies have brought to light the repression and lack of freedom of expression on the island, fueling the global call for justice and the release of political detainees.
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