The health condition of Duannis Dabel León Taboada, a 24-year-old political prisoner in Cuba, has taken a concerning turn. After enduring more than nine days without food, he has been transferred to the hospital within the Combinado del Este prison.
According to a post by the group Las Taniadas on Facebook, a threatening prison guard brandishing a baseball bat reportedly shouted at him several times, demanding he cease his hunger strike. "It is impossible for us to fully know Duannis's health status, but after nearly nine days without nourishment, his life is undoubtedly at risk," the statement said.
On the upcoming Monday, Duannis is expected to receive a visit from a priest for religious support. "Officer Ariel from Section 21 of the SE contacted Jenni M Taboada to inform her that Duannis had undergone medical tests and supposedly everything is normal. He mentioned that a dynamic will take place on Monday or Tuesday and advised her to await further contact. However, based on the actions of the prison and SE authorities, we have absolutely no trust in the truthfulness of their claims," the post continued.
Last Thursday, Jenni Taboada, Duannis’s mother, staged a protest outside the Combinado del Este prison in Havana after being denied access to visit her son. Duannis, serving a 14-year sentence for his involvement in the anti-government protests on July 11, 2021, is reportedly extremely weak and has not received any medical attention. He began his hunger strike on July 10 as a form of protest against his imprisonment conditions. "His life means more to me than anything else in this world. He is unjustly imprisoned," Taboada asserted. She pleaded to be allowed to persuade her son to end the hunger strike, expressing, "Let me try to save my son."
In statements released by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), Jenni, through tears, conveyed her overwhelming distress, saying, "My boy is a good kid, yet they hold him like a hostage. They won't let me see him, they won't let me do anything."
Key Questions on Duannis Dabel León Taboada's Situation
Why is Duannis Dabel León Taboada on a hunger strike?
Duannis began his hunger strike to protest against his imprisonment conditions and to draw attention to his plight as a political prisoner in Cuba.
What are the charges against Duannis Dabel León Taboada?
He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for participating in the anti-government protests on July 11, 2021.
What are the concerns regarding his health?
After more than nine days without food, there are significant concerns about his deteriorating health and the risk to his life.