“Diet incompatible with life”: they denounce extreme malnutrition and inhumane conditions in prisons in Cuba

A report by the NGO Prisoners Defenders exposed a large scale humanitarian crisis in Cuba. According to the document, nearly 90,000 prisoners suffer from conditions of severe malnutrition that put their lives at direct risk

.

The report states that inmates receive between 250 and 353 calories a day. It's just 10% to 14% of what is needed for an adult.

“Severe undernourishment” and irreversible physical damage

The president of the organization, Javier Larrondo,

was forceful.

“We're not talking about a bad diet. We are talking about severe undernourishment,” he warned

.

The consequences are serious:

• Extreme weight loss

• Anemia

• Immunosuppression

• Neurological damage

• High vulnerability to infections

The report indicates that these effects may appear

within a few months.

A diet that does not cover the minimum

Food in prison is extremely limited.

Breakfast is usually bread and tea.

Lunch and dinner include small portions of rice, soup and a croquette.

The result is a critical deficit of proteins, vitamins and minerals.

The daily protein intake does not exceed 10 grams.

The supply of vitamin C is practically zero.

This causes diseases such as scurvy, beriberi and severe muscle deterioration.

Unsanitary conditions and medical neglect

The situation is aggravated

by poor hygiene.

The cells are infested with insects.

Prisoners suffer from injuries, infections and sleep problems.

Access to health care is scarce or non-existent.

This multiplies the risk of complications and death.

A massive and repressive prison system

in

Cuba keeps nearly 90,000 people in detention.

This represents around 1% of its population.

The report identifies:

• 447 political prisoners with serious pathologies 47 with severe

• mental disorders without treatment

• 34 at extreme risk requiring urgent release

Cases that reflect the seriousness The

case of Alexander Díaz Rodríguez

shows the real impact.

After years in prison, he was released with advanced cancer, malnutrition and hepatitis.

He did not receive adequate medical care during his detention.

Violations of international norms

The report notes that these conditions violate global standards

.

Among them:

• The Nelson Mandela Rules of the UN

• Standards of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

The document concludes that the regime incurs cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment

.

An urgent call to the Larrondo international community

was direct about global responsibility

.

“Passivity is complicity,” he said.

The NGO called for:

• International access to prisons

• Release of prisoners at risk

• End of inhumane conditions

The Cuban prison crisis is no longer an internal problem.

It is a humanitarian emergency that requires an immediate international response.