Freddy Torres Quiala, a 31-year-old former lieutenant, has been languishing in jail for over a year without trial, following an arbitrary process initiated after he publicly exposed harassment and mistreatment within the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR). Originally from Niquero, Granma, Torres served for eight years as an officer in the 1448 Tank Division in Managua, Havana. On August 25, 2023, he released a video detailing his precarious health conditions—including chronic sacrolumbalgia, spina bifida, rheumatism, and insomnia—and how, despite medical evaluations, he was repeatedly denied a military discharge.
From Whistleblower to Prisoner
A mere ten days after posting the video, Torres found himself imprisoned at El Globo military prison. Initially, he was punished for speaking out, but soon a fabricated charge of "extortion" was added to his record to intensify his penalty. His wife denounced this accusation as nonsensical, noting that Torres had been detained for only a short period and was unfamiliar with anyone at the facility. His case file, marked as number 92, was reviewed by both the Provincial Prosecutor's Office and a lower court, neither of which found sufficient evidence against him.
Nevertheless, instead of releasing him, authorities have sought excuses to keep him incarcerated, such as the alleged "failure to notify other defendants." During this period, he has been transferred across various prisons, including Valle Grande, and is currently held at Jóvenes Occidente in El Guatao, La Lisa municipality, Havana.
A Year of Punitive Detention without Trial
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada highlighted on Facebook that Torres has now spent a year in preventive detention without a sentence, a clear violation of Cuban law. Despite this, Torres remains steadfast, unrepentant for revealing the truth about the FAR. He acknowledges having "paid the price" for his actions over the past year.
His wife, along with their daughter—who just turned seven and is longing to celebrate with her father—asserts that the ongoing detention serves as a cautionary tale. "They don't know what else to fabricate to punish him further. It’s a shameless act. The Prosecutor's Office itself admits there’s insufficient evidence, yet they keep him imprisoned as a warning," she declared.
The Fulfilled Threat
Torres's initial act of dissent, which marked him as a dissonant voice within the military, was forcibly erased from Facebook after threats were issued. This was justified under Order 4 from the FAR Minister, which prohibits officers from exposing the internal realities of the institution online. What Torres revealed in that video has been validated by his own ordeal: the regime seeks to set harsh examples to instill fear among officers and soldiers, aiming to deter anyone from denouncing injustices within the military.
Prior to his imprisonment, Torres had sought a military discharge for five years, even appealing directly to the Ministry of the FAR and sending a letter to the minister himself, but he received no reply. "They are forcing me, despite my health issues, to remain in the Armed Forces," he had complained. With 12 years of service—four as a cadet and eight as an officer—his greatest "offense" was questioning a system that disregards the health and will of its servicemen.
Now, ill and separated from his young daughter, Torres has become a hostage of political reprisal.
No Justice, No Legality
The plight of Freddy Torres Quiala underscores the lack of legal guarantees in Cuba. Neither the Prosecutor's Office nor the courts have been able to substantiate any charges, yet the former soldier remains in custody. The indefinite extension of his detention reveals that this is less about legal proceedings and more about political vendetta. His family’s public outcry and the attention his case has garnered highlight a pervasive fear within the military: in Cuba, there is no rule of law, only repression against those who dare to speak out.
Key Questions About Freddy Torres Quiala's Imprisonment
Why was Freddy Torres Quiala imprisoned?
Freddy Torres Quiala was imprisoned after publicly denouncing abuses within the Revolutionary Armed Forces. He was later unjustly charged with "extortion" to escalate his punishment.
What health issues does Freddy Torres Quiala face?
Freddy Torres Quiala suffers from chronic sacrolumbalgia, spina bifida, rheumatism, and insomnia, yet he has been denied a military discharge despite these medical conditions.
How has Freddy Torres's family responded to his detention?
His family, notably his wife and young daughter, have spoken out against his unjust imprisonment, denouncing it as an exemplary punishment meant to deter others from criticizing the military.