A tuberculosis outbreak at Las Mangas Provincial Prison in Bayamo, Granma has raised alarms among authorities. Political prisoner and activist from the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), Julio César Vega Santiesteban, expressed concern to Martí Noticias on Saturday, stating, "The tuberculosis issue is worsening here, and positive cases are emerging."
Vega Santiesteban noted, "Even the doctors are now masked up, reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic. They're moving around in green gowns and those face shields, and the guards are wearing masks as well." He lamented, "How can we protect ourselves if they aren't even managing it?"
He described the situation as "a very serious problem here, it's going to have serious consequences for us, and there are absolutely no medications available." Vega Santiesteban, who suffers from hypertension, added, "I haven't received any medication for my blood pressure in over two months. Everything is terrible here."
Lack of Medical Care in Other Prisons
From Las Mangas Prison, activist Ariel Eugenio Arzuága Peña reported to Martí Noticias that he is receiving "no medical attention whatsoever, not for blood pressure, not for my back, not for my prostate. I'm in bad shape, I can hardly sleep."
Arzuága Peña, who has significant health issues, held the prison police accountable for any potential deterioration in his condition.
Meanwhile, 11J prisoner José Ramón Solano Rendiche exposed the dire living conditions at the facility, noting a large number of severely ill inmates. "I just arrived at Confianza. You know, there are more problems here than on the streets, no medicines, no doctor to attend to you. There are hundreds of seriously ill people here," he reported.
Solano Rendiche, who is "allergic to everything," suffers from a herniated disc among other ailments. "When they initially sentenced me to 30 years, I started experiencing blood pressure issues. The sentence was later reduced to 18 years and then to 13 after an appeal."
Deaths from Illnesses in Cuban Prisons
On January 30, Yankiel Justiz Despaigne, a 36-year-old inmate, died from tuberculosis at Melena del Sur Prison in Mayabeque Province. He passed away in his cell without receiving timely medical attention, prompting criticism about healthcare neglect in Cuban prisons.
His father, José Manuel Justiz, informed independent outlet ADN Cuba that his son was ill for about 20 days following his tuberculosis diagnosis but was not transferred to a hospital nor received necessary medication at the prison. Despite requesting medical parole to seek treatment, prison authorities denied it, citing a lack of medication and the need for the family to provide it.
A report from the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights and the independent media outlet elTOQUE revealed that in 2024, at least 40 inmates died in Cuban prisons. Over the past five years, there have been 95 deaths in custody or during police actions, in addition to 287 cases of non-lethal police violence.
Impact of Tuberculosis Outbreaks in Cuban Prisons
What is causing the tuberculosis outbreak in Bayamo's Las Mangas Prison?
The outbreak is attributed to inadequate healthcare facilities, lack of medication, and poor living conditions within the prison.
How are prison authorities responding to the health crisis?
Prison authorities have implemented measures such as wearing masks and protective gear, but inmates report a severe lack of medical care and medication.
What are the consequences of the lack of medical attention in Cuban prisons?
The absence of adequate medical care has led to severe health deterioration among inmates, with reported deaths and widespread illness.
What actions are being taken to improve healthcare in prisons?
Currently, there appears to be little to no effective action being taken to resolve the healthcare crisis in Cuban prisons, according to reports from activists and prisoners.