Human rights organizations reported on Friday the troubling rise in deaths and torture within the Cuban prison system.
In just six months, at least 24 people have died in state custody, and 160 reports of torture have been documented, according to the report released by the Cuban Prison Documentation Center.
The publication of the report coincides with the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and presents a picture that contradicts the official narratives of the Cuban authorities.
Between January and June 2025, 45 reports of beatings and physical torture were registered, along with 104 cases of deliberate denial of medical care—considered a form of torture—and 11 episodes of psycho-emotional torture, in at least 43 prisons across the country.
Eight of the 24 reported deaths would be directly related to the lack of medical attention.
"The figures are shocking. Behind every number lies a story of suffering, of lives cut short and families devastated," warned Camila Rodríguez, executive director of the Initiative for Research and Advocacy A.C., the organization coordinating the monitoring of Cuban prisons from Mexico.
The prisons with the highest incidence of reported complaints are Combinado del Este in Havana, Boniato in Santiago de Cuba, and Kilo 8 in Camagüey, facilities that have historically been noted for reports of systematic human rights violations.
The report highlights that, of the documented cases, at least 56 correspond to individuals deprived of liberty for political reasons, which, according to the organization, demonstrates the use of prisons as a tool of repression against dissent.
“The regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel has the obligation to ensure the integrity of all individuals under its custody,” Rodríguez recalled. “The denial of medical care and cruel treatment cannot continue to be instruments of political punishment.”
The Initiative for Research and Advocacy and the Cuban Prisons Documentation Center made an urgent call to the international community to demand the opening of Cuban prisons to independent observers, the investigation of reported cases, and the immediate adoption of measures to eradicate torture and other inhuman treatment.
"The Cuban State must immediately cease these inhumane practices and ensure justice and reparations for the victims," Rodríguez concluded.
The organizations made the email address docubprisiones@iniciativaac.org available to international media and stakeholders for further information and to arrange interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Human Rights Situation in Cuban Prisons
How many deaths and reports of torture have been recorded in Cuban prisons in the last six months?
In the past six months, at least 24 people have died in state custody and 160 reports of torture in Cuban prisons have been documented. This alarming increase in deaths and torture has been reported by human rights organizations, such as the Cuban Prison Documentation Center, and coincides with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
What types of torture have been reported in Cuba's prisons?
There have been 45 reports of beatings and physical torture, 104 cases of deliberate denial of medical care, and 11 episodes of psychological torture. The denial of medical care is considered a form of torture and has been one of the most reported practices in Cuban prisons, severely impacting the health of inmates.
What are the prisons in Cuba with the most reports of human rights violations?
The prisons with the highest incidence of complaints are Combinado del Este in Havana, Boniato in Santiago de Cuba, and Kilo 8 in Camagüey. These facilities have historically been reported for systematic human rights violations.
What is the Cuban government's response to the allegations of torture and deaths in its prisons?
So far, Cuban authorities have not made any official statements regarding the reported cases. However, human rights organizations continue to demand the opening of prisons to independent observers and the investigation of the cases to ensure justice and reparations for the victims.
What role does the international community play regarding the situation in Cuban prisons?
Human rights organizations have made an urgent appeal to the international community to demand transparency and justice in the Cuban prison system. They seek to allow access for independent observers and to implement measures to eradicate torture and other inhumane treatment in Cuban prisons.
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