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Two more Cuban inmates died in Boniato prison, in Santiago de Cuba, on Saturday, bringing the total deaths in that prison to eight since the beginning of 2025, denounced the non-governmental organization Cubalex.
The deaths of Giovanis Ferrer Verdecia, age 46, and Israel Cabrera, both occurred on March 1st, under “inhumane conditions,” warned in a statement by the NGO for human rights and legal advice.
Ferrer, alias "El Menor," a native of Ramón de Guaninao in the Palma Soriano municipality, was incarcerated in Detachment No. 16 and died from tuberculosis and renal failure. The prisoner had been hospitalized for several days prior to his death and was buried on Sunday.
Cabrera was a inmate at Detachment No. 2, where individuals with low body weight are housed. Cubalex noted that "so far, the exact circumstances of his death are unknown."
The NGO reported on the overcrowding conditions, neglect, lack of medical attention, malnutrition, and unsanitary conditions in the prison facility, a situation that continues to "seriously jeopardize the lives of inmates and facilitate the spread of deadly diseases."
He also warned that the deaths of citizens in the custody of the Cuban state "cannot be normalized or go unpunished" and that "it is essential to demand justice, transparency, and guarantees for the protection of those deprived of their liberty."
Cubalex expressed condolences to the family and friends of the two deceased prisoners.
The organization reported in February the deaths of inmates Giovanis Ortega and Irai Nieto earlier that month, allegedly due to extreme malnutrition and neglect, in the same Unit No. 2 of the Boniato prison, known as the "low weight floor," where prisoners endure conditions of extreme hunger and lack of medical attention.
Several weeks later, the inmate of Detachment No. 13 Osbety Girón, 51 years old, died from tuberculosis, after being hospitalized for several days. The detachment was placed under quarantine due to the risk of the disease spreading among the prison population.
In other prisons across the country, the deaths of inmates have also been reported in recent months. The death of political prisoner Yoleisy Oviedo Rodríguez, 44 years old, on February 11th at the El Guatao Forced Labor Camp in Havana, caused a stir.
Reports from family members and independent organizations revealed that the mother of two children had been suffering from health issues for months and did not receive the necessary medical attention.
It was also reported the death of Yankiel Justiz Despaigne, 36 years old, due to tuberculosis, on January 30, in the Melena del Sur prison, in Mayabeque.
In that same province, in the Quivicán prison, the death of inmate Yosvany Sánchez in December 2024 was reported, due to health complications exacerbated by a lack of medical care.
A report by Cubalex documented that between January 2022 and January 2024, 56 individuals died while in custody of the country's authorities: 36 inmates serving sentences, nine detainees in police stations, and 11 recruits during mandatory military service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Prison Conditions in Cuba and Human Rights Violations
What has happened recently in the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba?
In the Boniato prison, in Santiago de Cuba, eight inmates have died since the beginning of 2025. The deaths have been attributed to inhumane conditions, malnutrition, tuberculosis, and lack of medical care, according to reports from the organization Cubalex. The NGO has indicated that deaths in state custody are a reflection of the negligence and precariousness of the Cuban penitentiary system.
What are the main causes of death in Cuban prisons?
The main causes of death in Cuban prisons are malnutrition, tuberculosis, and lack of adequate medical care. These deaths reflect a pattern of negligence and inhumane conditions in the country's prisons. Cubalex has documented multiple fatalities that could have been avoided with proper medical attention and basic resources.
What complaints have human rights organizations made regarding prisons in Cuba?
Human rights organizations have denounced overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, malnutrition, and lack of access to medical care in Cuban prisons. Cubalex, in particular, has pointed out that these conditions severely threaten the lives of inmates and has called for independent investigations and justice for deaths in state custody.
How has the Cuban government responded to reports of inhumane conditions in prisons?
Until now, the Cuban government has not issued official statements regarding the allegations of inhumane conditions in prisons. The authorities have not conducted investigations nor implemented significant improvements in the penitentiary system, despite international criticism and the concerns of human rights organizations.
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