The Cuban rapper Leandro Medina Fellové, artistically known as Insurrecto, denounced the inhumane conditions that detainees face in Alligator Alcatraz, in Florida, where he is held under the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), awaiting deportation.
In an audio message sent to independent media and Cuban influencers, the artist described the harsh conditions within the immigration detention center, where he claims that inmates live amidst dirt, extreme cold, and mistreatment.
“I’m in Alcatraz and this is a complete nightmare. The first complaint is about the prison staff. Here, the inmates are the ones who have to clean the cells without any resources. The toilets get clogged and overflow with waste because the plumbing doesn’t work. There’s no TV or tablets like in other prisons. They serve water for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There isn’t even a glass of milk for the detainees here,” the rapper expressed in his message.
Insurrecto explained that he was arrested for a misdemeanor of DUI —driving under the influence of substances— and questioned the treatment he received: “I did not assault the White House, nor did I kill anyone, nor did I rob a bank. I simply had a bad day, and that’s why I’m here.”
The Cuban artist also complained about the extreme cold in the dining area, where detainees “have to eat shivering” due to the low temperatures enforced by officials. “There is mistreatment, racism. The officials are incredibly rude. I have no words to describe this,” he added.
In his complaint, he also mentioned the poor quality of the food, the lack of medical attention, and basic services: “There’s no barbershop like in other prisons; one can't even shave. I got sick with a virus whose name I don’t even know,” he lamented.
Alligator Alcatraz currently houses hundreds of Cubans, including elderly individuals and former migrants from the Mariel exodus. The testimonies of several inmates describe a situation of overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and lack of medical attention.
The center consists of eight tents, each containing eight cages that hold between 27 and 32 people. They only have three bathrooms for each group, and they are allowed to shower three times a week, without personal hygiene products.
The detainees claim that inside the facility, they do not know what time it is, that the food arrives cold, and that the water “is not drinkable”. Additionally, they report that doctors take up to 72 hours to attend to them and that there are no adequate medicines available.
Insurrecto concluded his message by calling for support from the Cuban community and the press: “They are making our lives a yogurt,” he said, referring to the harsh conditions inside the migration center.
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