Yosvany Rosell García Caso, a Cuban political prisoner, ended his hunger strike on Monday after 40 days, according to independent media reports confirmed by his wife, Mailín Rodríguez Sánchez.
In a Facebook post, Rodríguez explained that García Caso decided to halt his protest after prison authorities agreed to one of his demands: being moved to an isolation cell.
“He has been very sad and overwhelmed by his unjust imprisonment; if he couldn't gain his freedom, he at least wanted to be separated from the harsh prison environment,” she told the independent portal Cubanet.
She noted that the process of reintroducing food began on Monday night with hydration serums.
On Tuesday, doctors at the Lucía Íñiguez Landín Clinical Surgical Hospital in Holguín conducted tests to assess the condition of his kidneys and other organs.
“His body endured 40 days of suffering; there remains a risk to his life, but we trust he will recover with God's help,” Rodríguez Sánchez stated.
The political prisoner was transferred on November 19 from the Cubasí prison to the hospital, where he was kept in intermediate care after being diagnosed as in a “critical condition with no prognosis.”
His wife described finding him “conscious but very weak,” handcuffed to the bed, and under constant watch by State Security officers during her visit.
“My God, what horror. I came home shocked, just thinking that, besides suffering from the hunger strike, he also has to be tied up,” she expressed emotionally.
Over the weekend, the prisoner's three children were allowed to visit him. “It was a very sad but encouraging meeting,” the mother recounted, confirming that the chains had been removed.
Yosvany Rosell García Caso was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in the July 11, 2021 (11J) protests in Holguín, one of the harshest sentences among the more than a thousand Cubans prosecuted for those events.
A blacksmith by trade and father of three, García Caso is described by family and friends as a hardworking, devout, and peaceful man.
His wife has reported threats, harassment, and constant surveillance by State Security since his arrest.
During the height of his hunger strike, hundreds of Cubans and international organizations voiced their support and demanded his release.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Amnesty International, and the U.S. Embassy in Havana highlighted his severe health deterioration and urged the Cuban regime to respect his human rights.
“Yosvany Rosell's life is in danger. We demand that the Cuban State ensure adequate medical care,” the IACHR warned on social media.
Additionally, on Monday, a group of activists, artists, and intellectuals sent a letter to Pope Leo XIV urging his humanitarian mediation. The document was delivered to the Holy See in Rome and also placed at the Apostolic Nunciature in Havana.
“His situation exemplifies that of hundreds of political prisoners still in Cuban jails,” the signatories asserted.
For many Cubans, Yosvany Rosell García Caso, initially sentenced to 30 years for his participation in the protests, has become a symbol of resistance and dignity.
His hunger strike was not just an act of desperation but a protest against the injustice and repression of the Cuban regime.
“He only asks to be free. He is not asking for privileges; he is asking for justice,” his wife stated.
Key Questions About Yosvany Rosell García's Case
What led Yosvany Rosell García to start a hunger strike?
Yosvany Rosell García initiated a hunger strike in response to his unjust imprisonment and harsh treatment, seeking either his freedom or isolation from the general prison population.
How did international organizations react to García's hunger strike?
International organizations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Amnesty International expressed concern over García's health and urged the Cuban government to respect his human rights.
What are the implications of Yosvany Rosell García's case?
His case highlights the broader issue of political imprisonment in Cuba, symbolizing resistance against repression and the struggle for justice within the country.