A Cuban political prisoner, sentenced by the regime for his involvement in the July 11, 2021 protests, has gone missing after fleeing the country by sea towards the United States. Daisel González Álvarez, 26, escaped from the island in a boat headed for the U.S. on October 6, taking advantage of a prison furlough to visit his home, reported Amelia Calzadilla on Facebook.
"In his last communication with his family, he mentioned being on a Florida Key, but did not specify which one, and since then, they have heard nothing from him. They are desperate, any information could be helpful," wrote the Cuban activist.
Background of the Escapee
The young man from Güira de Melena, Artemisa, is serving a 13-year prison sentence. After his arrest, he recounted to the independent outlet CubaNet that during the July 11 demonstrations, when police began cracking down on attendees, he and other protesters started throwing stones at a store belonging to the Panamericana chain. Three days later, law enforcement apprehended him and detained him at the local police station for three days. He was then transferred to the Reloj Club unit in Havana, where he stayed for another three days until July 20, when he was placed in the Combinado del Este to await trial, specifically on the fourth floor of the building's north wing.
Struggles and Injustices
The young man has reported ongoing verbal abuse and insults by Cuban police. In October 2021, it emerged that since his detention on July 14, he had not received medication needed for a syphilis-related condition or any medical attention. Before his incarceration, González Álvarez worked as a baker at a state-run facility. He has a young daughter.