The residents of Micro 9 in the José Martí district awoke to shocking news: the death of Ezequiel Aleixi Figueroa Mesa, known as “Pocholo,” who had been incarcerated at the Bungo 8 prison camp. According to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada's social media reports, authorities claim he died by suicide. However, family members and locals are challenging this narrative and pointing out numerous irregularities in the case.
Relatives recount that Figueroa Mesa had been granted temporary leave for good behavior just months earlier and was eager to reunite with his family on September 5th, the day his daughter would turn 15. Tragically, the anticipated celebration turned into a devastating event.
Family members observed that Figueroa Mesa's body bore numerous bruises, contradicting the official suicide claim. Additionally, the absence of guards or explanations at the funeral home further fuels suspicions of a cover-up. "We demand transparency from the authorities. He was an inmate, not an animal," family members expressed to Mayeta, demanding justice and clarity.
Community Calls for Thorough Investigation
“Pocholo's” funeral is set for Wednesday afternoon in his community. Neighbors and friends insist that the Santiago de Cuba Prosecutor's Office and Communist Party must initiate a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of his death. “We are still waiting for explanations at the funeral home; the family went to the prosecutor's office, and nothing. How long do we have to endure this? It was murder, not suicide, and the evidence is clear on his body,” the mourners asserted.
Alarming Patterns in Cuban Prisons
In July alone, Cuban prisons recorded 91 complaints related to inmates, with 68 involving rights violations and two resulting in deaths. This record underscores the persistent deterioration in a penitentiary system marked by repression and neglect. The monthly report from the Cuban Prisons Documentation Center (CDPC), based in Mexico, documented 77 complaints from prisons and detention centers across the nation.
The documented violations affected 51 prisoners—10 women and 41 men—and eight complaints had a collective impact, reflecting systemic issues within the Cuban incarceration facilities.
Understanding the Issues in Cuban Prisons
What prompted the suspicion of a cover-up in Ezequiel Figueroa Mesa's death?
Family members noted multiple bruises on his body, which contradicted the official suicide narrative, and there was no security presence or explanation provided at the funeral home.
What were the circumstances surrounding Figueroa Mesa's incarceration?
Figueroa Mesa was imprisoned at the Bungo 8 camp but had recently been granted temporary leave due to good behavior and was hopeful to reunite with his family for his daughter's 15th birthday.
How does the death of Ezequiel Figueroa Mesa relate to broader issues in Cuban prisons?
His death adds to the growing number of complaints and rights violations reported in Cuban prisons, highlighting systemic issues of repression and neglect within the penitentiary system.