Brian A. Nichols, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, spoke out on Monday regarding the death of Cuban political prisoner Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas. Guillén Esplugas was serving a six-year sentence for capturing and sharing videos of the July 11, 2021 protests, known as 11J. In a post on the social platform X, Nichols expressed sorrow over the news, describing it as "tragic" and highlighted reports of torture linked to the young man's death in a Cuban jail.
"Over three years ago, Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas was sentenced to six years in prison merely for recording and posting videos of the 11J protests. Tragically, today we learn of his death in a Cuban prison amid reports of torture," Nichols stated.
The senior official also condemned an "alarming trend" of mistreatment of political prisoners by Cuban authorities in recent weeks, specifically mentioning the physical abuse suffered by José Daniel Ferrer, another prominent Cuban dissident held in custody. "Manuel should still be alive, and other political prisoners must be released immediately," Nichols asserted, echoing the U.S. call for the liberation of those detained for political reasons in Cuba.
As time passes, social media is increasingly filled with outrage over the young man's death in custody. Guillén Esplugas was also the great-grandson of Cuba's National Poet, Nicolás Guillén. The regime informed the family that the young man took his own life, a claim firmly denied by Yan Franco Esplugas, who identified himself on social media as the deceased's cousin.
The Cuban regime continues to incarcerate 554 individuals for participating in the anti-government protests of July 2021, which occurred in numerous cities and towns across the nation—the largest demonstrations recorded in the country, according to independent organization Justicia 11J. In its third annual report, "Another Year Without Justice," for 2024, the NGO disclosed that 1,586 people were arrested for their involvement in the 11J uprising, of which 554, representing 35%, remain imprisoned three years later, with confirmed sentences following appeals that extend to over 20 years of confinement.
Key Questions on Cuba's Political Detentions
What led to Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas' imprisonment?
Manuel de Jesús Guillén Esplugas was imprisoned for six years for recording and sharing videos of the July 11, 2021 protests in Cuba.
How many people are still in prison following the 11J protests?
As of the most recent reports, 554 individuals remain incarcerated for their involvement in the July 2021 protests in Cuba.
What are the allegations regarding the treatment of political prisoners in Cuba?
There are reports of torture and mistreatment of political prisoners in Cuba, with recent allegations specifically involving the physical abuse of detained dissidents like José Daniel Ferrer.