The family of a 28-year-old Cuban man who died on May 6 while under police custody at a National Revolutionary Police (PNR) station in San Juan y Martínez, located in the province of Pinar del Río, is demanding justice for the tragic incident. Identified as Luis Ángel Benítez Hernández, he had been detained after setting fire to his house with his ex-partner inside.
According to his father, Juan Ángel Benítez Peraza, the young man "surrendered to the police voluntarily without resisting, informing them that he had ingested poison." The father further condemns the lack of attention from the police.
"They took him to the Modesto Gómez Rubio polyclinic, where he was treated with his hands cuffed and without performing a stomach wash; they only administered dextrose and vitamin B6," he asserts.
In an extensive post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the human rights organization Cubalex highlighted irregularities in the medical care provided to the young man at the polyclinic. "The polyclinic issued a certificate of injuries that did not record any visible signs of beating on his body," they state.
After being transferred back to the police station, the young man's mother was able to document his poor condition at the facility. "The police admitted that Luis Ángel died at the station, and the polyclinic director confirmed that the young man arrived at the medical center already deceased," Cubalex's post notes.
They also mention that "at Legal Medicine, they asked the mother about the bruises on Luis Ángel's face and body and whether she was aware of any physical altercation, confirming the mistreatment."
The family denounces that the police have not provided any explanations about what happened to Luis Ángel. "The parents have not had access to any documents and have only been told to wait for the investigation results," they add.
Luis Ángel's father expressed fear for his safety, stating that regime police officers have visited his home to threaten him.
Questions Surrounding the Death of Luis Ángel Benítez Hernández
The case of Luis Ángel Benítez Hernández has raised many questions about the circumstances surrounding his death while in police custody. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding this troubling incident.
What led to the arrest of Luis Ángel Benítez Hernández?
Luis Ángel Benítez Hernández was arrested after setting fire to his house with his ex-partner inside.
How did the police handle Luis Ángel's medical condition?
The police took him to the Modesto Gómez Rubio polyclinic, where he was treated with his hands cuffed and without performing a stomach wash. They only administered dextrose and vitamin B6.
What were the findings at the polyclinic?
The polyclinic issued a certificate stating that there were no visible signs of beating on Luis Ángel's body.
What did the police admit regarding Luis Ángel's condition?
The police admitted that Luis Ángel died at the police station and that he arrived at the polyclinic already deceased.
Have the family received any explanations from the police?
No, the family has not received any explanations or documents from the police and have been told to wait for the investigation results.