The relatives of Matthew Jean-Philippe, an American national and father to two young children, have raised the alarm over his three-month detention in Cuba without formal charges, describing his treatment as deeply inhumane. They informed CiberCuba that Matthew is currently imprisoned at La Condesa, a facility for foreigners located on the outskirts of Havana, and claim his health has severely deteriorated during his incarceration.
"Matthew has been left with an untreated arm fracture and is limping from injuries sustained while in custody. We have no insight into why he was detained or any legal proceedings he might be facing. His children ask about their father every day," the family shared.
Despite 90 days passing, the Cuban authorities have yet to provide any explanations or transparency regarding the situation. "Efforts by the U.S. State Department have been fruitless," they remarked, while also highlighting that their requests for medical care and due process have been ignored.
Matthew, who was in a relationship with a Cuban woman, was apprehended under unclear circumstances and has since been kept away from his children and loved ones. "Each day is critical. A father is missing from his children’s lives. Two young ones are missing their dad. An American citizen is detained with no clear cause, injured and isolated," the family emphasized.
Understanding La Condesa
La Condesa is primarily a prison for foreign nationals in Cuba and has been the subject of numerous complaints from inmates and their families. Past reports highlight issues like lack of medication, poor nutrition, power outages, corruption, and a significant lack of legal transparency.
In June 2024, over 70 foreign inmates launched a hunger strike to protest the prison's conditions. Incidents like the case of Canadian Radu Martin and the suicide of a Jamaican prisoner have brought to light a pattern of human rights violations and medical neglect within this detention center.
An Urgent Plea for Help
Matthew's family is urgently appealing to the international community to push for his release or, at the very least, secure medical treatment and legal representation within the Cuban system. "Media attention is desperately needed. Matthew’s health is declining and his children are growing up without their father," they stressed.
The plight of Jean-Philippe once again casts a spotlight on the opacity of the Cuban prison system and the conditions at La Condesa, where numerous foreigners have reported neglect, mistreatment, and the systematic denial of due process over the years.
Key Questions About Detention in Cuba
What are the conditions at La Condesa prison?
La Condesa is known for poor conditions, including lack of medication, inadequate nutrition, and power outages. It has been criticized for corruption and a lack of transparency in legal processes.
How has the U.S. responded to Matthew Jean-Philippe's detention?
Efforts by the U.S. State Department to address Matthew's situation have not yet yielded any results, according to his family.