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The five survivors of the maritime incident that occurred on February 25 off the coast of Villa Clara remain confined under extreme conditions at the Combinado del Este prison in Havana, where they have reportedly been threatened with death and subjected to physical and psychological torture, according to reports from family members and opposition organizations this Monday.
Maritza Lugo, representative of the Democratic Movement Party 30 de Noviembre "Frank País", stated in remarks to Martí Noticias that those detained are isolated in cells known as "the 47", under constant surveillance and subjected to ongoing pressure.
"The lives of each of them are constantly in danger. They have received death threats, are under permanent surveillance, and are subjected to constant psychological pressure," the activist stated.
The five men are part of a group of ten Cuban residents in Florida who arrived in Cuba on a vessel on February 25 and were intercepted by the Border Guard Troops near Cayo Falcones. During the operation, five people died: four in the initial shooting and a fifth days later due to the injuries sustained.
After the events, the Cuban authorities arrested the survivors and later the Prosecutor's Office charged them with terrorism, offenses that could carry sentences ranging from ten years in prison to life imprisonment, and even the death penalty.
According to Lugo, the conditions of detention are particularly harsh. Detainees would remain in dark cells with poor ventilation, high temperatures, and the presence of rodents.
"The conditions are inhumane. No human being should live like this anywhere in the world," he denounced.
The most delicate situation would be that of Amijail Sánchez González. According to the activist, the young man was beaten during interrogations conducted at Villa Marista and suffered permanent injuries.
"They ruptured one of his eardrums, and today he hears nothing on that side. He has infections, severe headaches, and has not received the medical attention he needs," he stated.
The other detainees have been identified as Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, Conrado Galindo Sariol, José Manuel Rodríguez Castelló, and Cristian Ernesto Acosta Guevara.
Lugo also questioned the role of Cuban authorities during the visit made by FBI agents to the island on April 1 to participate in the joint investigation into the incident, a rare cooperation between the two countries.
According to their testimony, the survivors were never able to speak privately with the American investigators because State Security agents were present during the interrogations.
"They were not allowed to have a private conversation with the FBI. They only answered a few questions, and when they tried to explain what had really happened, they were handcuffed and removed from the place," she stated.
The allegations coincide with previous reports indicating that Cuban authorities maintained strict control over access to evidence and the interviews conducted during the investigation.
While the regime claims that the detainees were involved in an operation organized from the United States, relatives and opposition organizations assert that they were victims of an ambush carried out by Cuban forces. Authorities have pointed to Maritza Lugo as the alleged mastermind of the operation, an accusation that the activist denies from Miami.
So far, the FBI has not publicly disclosed any conclusions regarding the investigation.
In light of the situation of the five survivors, Lugo called for the intervention of international organizations and human rights groups.
"We are asking the whole world to pay attention to what is happening in Cuba, especially within the prisons," he concluded.
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