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Family Alleges Inmate's Violent Death at Mayabeque Prison by Guard

Thursday, January 30, 2025 by Robert Castillo

Family Alleges Inmate's Violent Death at Mayabeque Prison by Guard
Prison in Cuba (reference image) - Image of © ACN

A Cuban family has taken to social media to accuse a prison guard at Melena II in Mayabeque of allegedly murdering an inmate. The guard, known as "Boloy," is said to have brutally assaulted the prisoner. Sonia Soler, who identifies herself as the deceased inmate's wife, claimed her husband was beaten to death and accused Cuban authorities of attempting to cover up the incident.

"My husband was killed by the prison guards 12 hours ago, beaten to death. Who will take responsibility now, Mr. President? Melena Prison, murderers, henchmen," Soler lamented on her Facebook profile.

In a subsequent post, Soler provided more details, stating that multiple prison officers participated in the assault. "That guard and others beat my husband to death. I have evidence and photos. They are murderers. They struck him with a baton, causing fatal brain injuries. We, his family, demand justice. Enough of the abuse. Justice, justice!" she desperately declared.

The grieving widow called for assistance to ensure the case does not go unpunished. "Here is proof that he didn't die from the spray; they beat him to death," she added, countering any potential official narrative that might claim otherwise.

Witnesses Point to Prison Guard as Culprit

Another Facebook user supported Soler's allegations, naming "Boloy" as the officer responsible. According to this account, the guard not only assaulted the inmate but also used pepper spray, despite knowing the victim suffered from asthma.

"Yesterday, this man killed an inmate due to the dictatorship's fault. A fight broke out in the unit, and he came in swinging his baton at everyone. They warned him not to use spray because the poor inmate was asthmatic, but he didn't care and did it anyway. The man died," the user reported.

As of now, Cuban authorities have yet to issue any official statements regarding this incident. The deceased's family is demanding a thorough investigation and that those responsible be held accountable.

Recent Fatalities in Cuban Prisons

In recent months, there has been a surge in reports of inmate deaths in Cuban prisons, raising alarm among activists and families. One notable case involves Manuel Jesús Guillén, a political prisoner from the July 11 protests, who died under unexplained circumstances. His death is part of a troubling pattern of mistreatment of prisoners of conscience on the island.

Another distressing incident took place in December 2024, when an inmate died due to inadequate medical care in prison. Human rights organizations have criticized the worsening conditions in Cuban prisons, highlighting limited access to healthcare and inhumane treatment of inmates.

In November, reports emerged of an inmate's death in Cienfuegos prison following a severe beating. Sources close to the case indicate that violence and abuse within these facilities remain rampant, with little to no repercussions for the perpetrators.

These events have sparked growing unrest both within Cuba and internationally, with urgent calls to investigate these cases and improve the conditions of the country's penitentiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions on Cuban Prison Conditions

What has been alleged in the recent case of an inmate's death in Mayabeque?

The family of the deceased inmate has accused a prison guard named "Boloy" of beating the inmate to death and has claimed that authorities are attempting to cover up the incident.

Have there been other recent inmate deaths in Cuban prisons?

Yes, there have been several reports of inmate deaths in Cuban prisons, including the unexplained death of political prisoner Manuel Jesús Guillén and another due to lack of medical care.

What concerns have been raised about Cuban prison conditions?

Human rights organizations have expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions in Cuban prisons, citing limited healthcare access and the inhumane treatment of inmates.

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