Francisco Rangel Manzano, a 64-year-old political prisoner, experienced a severe heart attack in the early hours of Saturday at Canaleta Prison in Perico, Matanzas. He is serving a six-year sentence following his arrest during the July 11, 2021 protests.
His wife, Regla Burunate, who works as a nurse, learned about the incident through a phone call from the prison around 12:20 PM on Saturday, July 18.
"On Saturday, July 18, my husband called me from Canaleta Prison in Perico around 12:20 PM to inform me that he had been urgently taken to the infirmary early in the morning. He was experiencing severe shortness of breath, intense chest pain, and extremely high blood pressure. They medicated him, stabilized him, and then returned him to his cell," Burunate told Martí Noticias.
Rangel Manzano suffers from a high-risk heart condition that exacerbates the situation: "He has a cardiomyopathy, likely of ischemic origin, with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, which is a very serious condition," his wife explained.
The prison conditions, frequently criticized by human rights organizations, pose an additional threat to someone with such a cardiovascular condition.
Harsh Prison Conditions
Burunate described the overcrowded cells with beds crammed together, lacking fans, and plagued by extreme heat: "In one cubicle, there are many prisoners, I don't know the exact number, but the beds are side by side with no space for anything, and it's unbearably hot without any fans."
Canaleta Prison's dire conditions are well-known: the facility houses over 3,000 inmates in buildings that haven't been modernized since 1975, with prisoners receiving only one bucket of water every 24 hours for drinking, laundry, and personal hygiene.
Denial of Medical Release
Despite having served five of his six-year sentence, the regime refuses to grant him parole or conditional release. Additionally, they have not ordered the necessary medical-legal evaluation required to consider his release on health grounds, a process that has not been conducted during his nearly six years of imprisonment.
Burunate directly blamed the State Security: "I hold State Security and the prison authorities accountable for anything that might happen. Pancho's health is very fragile, and they are aware of it. He has already served five years of a six-year sentence, which should qualify him for parole or conditional release, yet the regime's authorities refuse to grant it."
Background on Rangel Manzano's Arrest
Rangel Manzano was detained on July 11, 2021, during popular protests in Colón, Matanzas, while he was a member of the Pedro Luis Boitel Democracy Party. He was tried in January 2022 and convicted of "assault" and "public disorder." In August 2023, he was transferred without prior notice to his family to Canaleta Prison as retaliation for a "Patria y Vida" sign appearing in his previous prison.
This case highlights the broader humanitarian crisis within the Cuban prison system: Cubalex documented 39 deaths in custody in 2025 and at least 30 more in 2026, many attributed to medical negligence and malnutrition. According to Prisoners Defenders, as of July 2026, there are 1,306 political prisoners in Cuba, 338 of whom were directly sentenced for the July 11 protests.
"I'm going to State Security, which ultimately oversees all these cases. They deal with the doctors, they handle the prisons. The main link in this country is State Security," Burunate warned, announcing her intention to personally demand answers from the institution.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Prisons
What condition does Francisco Rangel Manzano suffer from?
Francisco Rangel Manzano suffers from a cardiomyopathy, likely of ischemic origin, with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, a very serious heart condition.
Why are Canaleta Prison's conditions considered dangerous?
Canaleta Prison is notorious for its harsh conditions, including overcrowded cells with beds crammed together, lack of ventilation, and extreme heat. Inmates also receive only one bucket of water every 24 hours for all their needs.
What actions has Regla Burunate taken regarding her husband's condition?
Regla Burunate has publicly held State Security and prison authorities accountable for her husband's health, and she plans to personally visit State Security to demand answers and action.