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A report from the Cuba Archive project holds former leader Raúl Castro accountable for thousands of deaths and disappearances on the island since 1959, identifying him as a central figure in the repressive structure of the regime.
The document, titled “Cuba: The Human Cost of the Raúl Castro Regime,” attributes to the general a role as a co-architect and executor of the totalitarian system, holding him responsible for serious human rights violations over more than six decades.
According to the report, Castro is said to have been linked to extrajudicial executions, deaths in custody, the murders of civilians—including minors—and repressive actions both within and outside the country, as part of a systematic policy of control and repression.
The report also documents historical patterns of abuse and highlights their implications in military interventions abroad, as well as in sustaining a state apparatus that has incurred a high cost in human lives.
In statements to Martí Noticias, the director of Archivo Cuba, María Werlau, explained that the document highlights the impact of the system established on the island for over six decades and emphasized that it is an ongoing work.
The organization, based in Washington, estimates at least 8,267 deaths and disappearances linked to the Cuban regime since 1959, which reflects, according to Werlau, a profound and lasting damage to society.
The investigation also indicates that, from the early months following the triumph of the revolution, Raúl Castro ordered mass executions in the province of Oriente, including executions without trial and documented repressive actions such as the massacre at Loma de San Juan.
The report also details cases of deaths in prison due to inhumane conditions, hunger strikes, medical negligence, and suicides under custody, as well as fatalities of individuals attempting to flee the country.
Archivo Cuba also attributes to the general responsibility for policies such as mandatory military service and the Youth Labor Army, which have been cited for causing deaths due to accidents, exploitation, and extreme conditions.
The document concludes that Raúl Castro's legacy is characterized by sustained repression and a high human cost, with consequences that still affect thousands of Cuban families.
Recently, U.S. Senator Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, stated that former Cuban leader Raúl Castro should be brought to the United States to face charges for alleged crimes, amid the tightening of President Donald Trump's foreign policy towards Havana.
In an interview granted to EFE, Scott stated that he hoped the former Cuban leader would be formally charged.
"I want Raúl Castro to be charged for his crimes, for killing Americans. I believe he should be brought to the United States to face trial," the senator stated.
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