Juan Eralys Cayamo, a former member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), died while in police custody in Santiago de Cuba during the early hours of August 16, following his arrest at home the previous day.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported on Facebook that Cayamo, known as "Olugo," was detained by police on charges that family and friends claim were false, specifically for "drug possession."
Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of police violence and mentions unverified allegations related to an individual's death in custody. The content may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised. The allegations presented are under investigation and have not been confirmed by official sources.
According to witnesses, the violent arrest took place on 3rd Street in the Veguita de Galo neighborhood around 6:30 PM, when police stormed his home and beat him both inside the house and on the street.
After his arrest, he was taken to the Versalles Criminal Operations Unit, where, according to official reports, he died of a heart attack before being transported to a hospital.
However, Mayeta emphasized that Cayamo's neighbors and close associates expressed doubts about the official version of his death. One of them, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "They say he died of a heart attack, but I don't rule out that the police killed him with all the blows they gave him."
This suspicion is shared by other close associates, who claim that it was never proven that the former UNPACU member was arrested for drug possession and that his death could have been due to police brutality.
"He wasn't involved in that; he was into religion and was against the regime, but not drugs," said a young woman who had a close relationship with the deceased.
A person close to Cayamo recounted that the beatings began after he shouted slogans against the Revolution. "They targeted him, beat him even inside the patrol car; I don't rule out that they killed him at the Operations Unit," they added.
Although Cayamo had ceased being an active part of UNPACU several years ago, he maintained an open stance of dissent in the streets. His death, under suspicious circumstances, has generated outrage among his friends and neighbors, as well as on social media, who demand that the authorities in Santiago de Cuba clarify the events with solid evidence.
Leonardo Mesa denounced the incident on social media, stating that Cayamo was "beaten in a police car until exhaustion, taken to operations, and two hours later they report his death as 'a heart attack,' that's how this communist dictatorship works."
Meanwhile, Lázaro Mireles noted on Facebook: "When I think about the murder of this UNPACU activist, I think of José Daniel Ferrer, his necessary freedom, I think of Cuba, of the people crying out for hope, I think of the hundreds of political prisoners who deserve to be with their families."
Despite witness reports claiming that the former UNPACU member was beaten, pro-government Facebook profiles insist there were no beatings, another sign of information manipulation on social media.
Elizabeth Ferrer stated, "I want to make it clear that there was no beating or medical negligence; he was given all the necessary attention during his critical moment."
The same message, unmodified and uncritically, has been repeated by several users on social media, in clear alignment with the regime.
However, the Cuban government's crimes against dissidents, political prisoners, and the general prison population continue. Recently, Cuban activists warned about threats against independent artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara at Guanajay prison in the province of Artemisa.
In a video posted on the social network X by Norges Rodríguez, CEO and co-founder of the digital media YucaByte, art curator Claudia Genlui Hidalgo denounced that, just as she was talking to him via phone, a guard threatened to hang up the call.
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) reported the death of a prisoner in Cuba, due to a virus and physical and psychological abuse received from his jailers.
"On July 31, Ariel López La Torre, a 36-year-old common prisoner, died in unit number 6 of the Kilo 7 provincial prison, located in the province of Camagüey," said OCDH on the social network X.
Questions About the Death of Juan Eralys Cayamo in Police Custody
Following the death of Juan Eralys Cayamo under police custody, several critical questions arise regarding the circumstances and the official narrative provided by the authorities. Here are some of the key questions and their answers.
What were the official charges against Juan Eralys Cayamo?
Juan Eralys Cayamo was officially charged with "drug possession," although his family and friends claim these charges were false.
What do witnesses say about the circumstances of his arrest?
Witnesses report that the arrest was violent, with police beating Cayamo both inside his home and on the street.
What is the official cause of death as reported by the authorities?
Authorities report that Cayamo died of a heart attack before he could be transported to a hospital.
What suspicions do friends and family have about his death?
Friends and family suspect that Cayamo's death may have been caused by police brutality and not a heart attack as officially reported.