Carlos Alberto MacDonald Ennis, a Cuban political prisoner from Las Tunas, was released this Thursday after over two years of pre-trial detention. His release comes amid serious health concerns that human rights organizations have deemed alarming.
However, MacDonald Ennis has not been granted full freedom. He remains under a bail condition of 50,000 Cuban pesos, approximately $132, which is more than seven times the average monthly salary in Cuba.
In an audio recording made after his release, MacDonald Ennis detailed that his initial bail was set at 100,000 pesos but was halved due to his severe health issues. "I was released from prison at 5 PM yesterday with a bail reduced from 100,000 pesos to 50,000 pesos due to my health problems, including a tumor in my paranasal sinuses, both the left and right maxilla, diabetes mellitus, and severe malnutrition—I'm down to 48 kilos," he stated.
Upon leaving the "El Típico Nuevo" Provincial Prison in Las Tunas, MacDonald Ennis weighed a mere 48 kilograms, showing severe signs of malnutrition.
While incarcerated, he developed a tumor in his paranasal sinuses, which has expanded into internal head structures, causing him significant pain and posing a threat to vital organs.
The Health Crisis Behind Bars
In addition to the tumor, he suffers from pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease, all exacerbated by the lack of medication and medical care during his imprisonment.
Prisoners Defenders reported that despite the severity of his condition, MacDonald Ennis was denied medical treatment throughout his detention. "After more than two years of detention without trial and severe medical negligence, his life remains in danger," they stated.
Arrest and Repression
MacDonald Ennis was arrested on March 15, 2024, facing charges of assault, propaganda against the constitutional order, and other acts against state security for his social media posts critical of the Cuban government.
During his incarceration, he endured systematic repression, including the illegal prolongation of his detention, denial of habeas corpus pleas, isolation in punishment cells, and withholding of medical information, as documented by Prisoners Defenders and the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).
The OCDH, which repeatedly highlighted his declining health while imprisoned, confirmed his release and shared the audio where MacDonald Ennis expressed gratitude to human rights organizations and his fellow Cubans.
A Pattern of Neglect
This case of medical neglect in prison is not isolated. In April 2026, the OCDH reported the critical health condition of political prisoner Ana Ibis Tristá Padilla, who was suffering from kidney issues without adequate medical care.
In April, the Cuban regime announced a mass pardon of over 2,000 prisoners. However, organizations like Prisoners Defenders, OCDH, and Cubalex verified that the first individuals released were common criminals, not political dissidents.
As of May 2026, Prisoners Defenders recorded 1,281 political prisoners in Cuba, the highest number ever documented by the organization.
From prison, MacDonald Ennis never lost his voice or determination. In the audio shared after his release, he delivered a clear message: "I need the whole world to know we seek freedom for all political prisoners, for all movements, all parties, for all our brothers, all our warriors, all our fighters. Thank you, homeland and life."
FAQs on Political Prisoners and Health Concerns in Cuba
What were the health issues faced by Carlos Alberto MacDonald Ennis in prison?
MacDonald Ennis developed a tumor in his paranasal sinuses, suffered from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and severe malnutrition during his imprisonment, exacerbated by a lack of medical care.
How did human rights organizations describe the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
Organizations like Prisoners Defenders and the OCDH have described the situation as alarming, highlighting systematic repression, medical negligence, and severe health declines among political prisoners.