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The Cuban political prisoner Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez García, incarcerated in Kilo 5 and ½ Prison in Pinar del Río, initiated a hunger strike on May 28, after learning that the regime is attempting to "fabricate" a new charge against him to prevent his release despite having served his sentence.
The report was shared by activist Betty Guerra Perdomo on the social media platform X, following the information provided by her mother, Nilda García Fleitas, who visited him this Monday morning.
Manuel is expected to be released on June 12, after fully serving a sentence that, according to various sources, has been described as unjust. However, his family and activists report that the regime is trying to impose new charges to extend his imprisonment, a common practice of the Cuban government to silence dissenters and opponents.
A case of years of abuse
Rodríguez García was sentenced in December 2016 for the offenses of contempt, assault, sexual outrage, and defamation of institutions and organizations, as well as of heroes and martyrs.
In 2019, CiberCuba reported that he spent weeks in a punishment cell in the same prison, without access to sunlight, as opposition figure María Cristina Garrido denounced at the time.
In 2021, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
According to Resolution 78/21 of the IACHR, these measures were based on evidence of beatings, threats, and lack of adequate medical attention, even though Cuba never responded to the requests for information.
A call for visibility
The activist Betty Guerra Perdomo urged everyone to share and bring visibility to this statement, so that Rodríguez García and his family do not remain isolated in their struggle. The opposition community fears that the Cuban government will use new accusations to extend the sentence, while the detainee faces precarious conditions and lacks guaranteed access to healthcare.
This case adds to a long list of violations of human rights committed against dissidents on the island, once again highlighting the lack of legal protections and the use of the judicial system to punish dissent.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Situation of Political Prisoners in Cuba
Why did Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez García start a hunger strike?
Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez García began a hunger strike upon learning that the regime is attempting to fabricate a new crime against him to prevent his release despite having served his sentence. This practice by the Cuban government aims to silence dissenters and opponents through the arbitrary extension of their sentences.
What is the background of the case of Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez García?
Rodríguez García was sentenced in December 2016 for several offenses, including contempt and defamation. In 2019, he was placed in a punishment cell without access to sunlight, and in 2021, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted him precautionary measures due to the serious and urgent risk to his rights, although the Cuban regime has ignored these measures.
How has the international community reacted to the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
International organizations have condemned human rights violations in Cuba, urging pressure on the regime to ensure the safety and release of political prisoners. However, the Cuban government has maintained its repressive stance, disregarding international calls and denunciations.
What other tactics does the Cuban regime use against political prisoners?
The Cuban regime uses the fabrication of new charges and the denial of prison benefits to prolong the incarceration of dissidents. In addition, it keeps prisoners in precarious conditions, without adequate access to healthcare and under constant threat of reprisals, as seen in the cases of other political prisoners who have conducted hunger strikes.
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