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The Cuban activist Roilán Álvarez Rensoler, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), marks this March 10th 40 days on a hunger strike, in protest against his arbitrary detention on January 30th.
The opposition figure is hospitalized in the province of Holguín following a prolonged hunger strike. Human rights organizations and family members have raised concerns about the serious deterioration of his health condition.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) warned that the activist's life is at extreme risk and demanded immediate guarantees for their physical integrity, as well as their release.
"Today marks 40 days since Roilán Álvarez Rensoler began a hunger strike in protest of his detention. We want to raise awareness once again about the grave risk to his life with each passing minute," the organization stated.
The sister of the opposition member, Arianna Álvarez Rensoler, also made an urgent appeal for help in a video shared by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP), where she denounced the severe physical deterioration of the political prisoner.
"I need help. My brother is losing his life in a hunger strike... My brother is losing his life. I need help!" he expressed.
According to a family member, a doctor who is treating the activist reportedly stated that Álvarez Rensoler refuses to have his vital signs taken and that the doctors would need authorization to conduct blood tests and administer serum.
Relatives and human rights defenders have reiterated their call to the authorities to ensure medical care and protect the physical integrity of the prisoner.
On the island, several political prisoners have lost their lives while on hunger strike. In 2020, the Cuban political prisoner Yosvany Arostegui died after more than 40 days on a hunger strike in Camagüey.
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