The Cuban political prisoner Duannis Dabel León Taboada, 24 years old, ended his hunger strike this Tuesday after 12 days of protest, following a long-awaited visit from his mother, Jenni M. Taboada, and several family members.
The Las Taniadas activist profile published on Facebook that his loved ones managed to convince the young man to prioritize his life without giving up his call for freedom and justice.
"With great effort, he was able to convince him to end the hunger strike. But not his demand for freedom and justice. 'Duannis will live!'" they wrote on social media.
During the visit, Jenni recounted that her son insisted he could go another 20 days without eating, reported the prisoner’s mother.
"He said that something had taken hold of him," she wrote, moved.
The family and activists have reported that Duannis's suffering could have been avoided if the authorities had allowed family contact earlier.
"Thank you all for your solidarity, affection, and support. This fight is for everyone, and we are learning that already," Taboada expressed.
Duannis was transferred a few days ago to the Combinado del Este prison hospital in critical condition. According to reports from Las Taniadas, a guard even confronted him with a baseball bat in an intimidating manner, demanding that he end his hunger strike.
"After almost nine days without food, their life was in imminent danger," they warned.
The authorities, through Officer Ariel from Section 21 of State Security, informed the mother by phone that Duannis's medical tests were "normal," but the family expressed complete lack of trust in that official version.
On Thursday, the mother of the political prisoner stood outside the Combinado del Este prison in Havana, after being denied access to visit her son.
"His life is more important than anything in this world. He is imprisoned unjustly. Let me try to save him," he pleaded then.
Duannis León Taboada was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his participation in the protests of July 11, 2021, known as 11J.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of Duannis Dabel León Taboada and political prisoners in Cuba
Why was Duannis Dabel León Taboada on a hunger strike?
Duannis Dabel León Taboada began a hunger strike as a protest against his lengthy 14-year prison sentence following his participation in the protests of July 11, 2021, in Cuba. His hunger strike was an extreme way to express his discontent and demand justice and freedom.
What is Duannis's health status after the strike?
Duannis was transferred to the Combinado del Este prison hospital in serious condition after more than nine days without consuming food. Authorities claimed that his medical tests were "normal," but his family distrusts this version. The lack of contact with his family for a significant part of the hunger strike raised great concern about his well-being.
How has Duannis's family reacted to his situation?
The mother of Duannis, Jenni M. Taboada, has been an active advocate for her son, making multiple calls for help and publicly expressing her desperation. She stood outside the Combinado del Este prison to demand to see her son and has denounced the lack of adequate medical care during Duannis's hunger strike.
What is the general situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
Over 1,150 people are imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba, according to human rights organizations. The prisoners face inhumane conditions, lack of medical care, and systematic repression. Cases like that of Duannis and other protesters from 11J highlight the severity of the situation in Cuban prisons.
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