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Press Release: Urgent Alert: Mother of Cuban Political Prisoner Exposes Inhumane Prison Conditions Amid Spontaneous Protest by Dozens of Detainees
Press Release

Urgent Alert: Mother of Cuban Political Prisoner Exposes Inhumane Prison Conditions Amid Spontaneous Protest by Dozens of Detainees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2026
Washington, D.C. The Center for a Free Cuba yesterday released harrowing video testimony from Moraima Rodríguez Batista, mother of political prisoner Alexander Díaz Rodríguez, shedding light on the dire and unsanitary conditions inside Kilo 5 1/2 prison in Pinar del Río, Cuba.
The testimony highlights the Cuban regime’s ongoing human rights abuses, including the denial of medical care to prisoners and the theft of essential supplies, exacerbating life-threatening health issues.
In the video, Ms. Rodríguez Batista describes contaminated water infested with larvae, inhumane treatment, and a complete lack of basic hygiene in the facility. Her son, Alexander Díaz Rodríguez, who is suffering from untreated thyroid cancer, has seen his condition worsen due to these appalling circumstances.
Reports from 2025 corroborate similar incidents of denied medical attention and the interception of food packages intended for Díaz Rodríguez’s family, underscoring a pattern of targeted mistreatment against political dissidents.
The testimony also reveals a spontaneous protest involving 40-50 political prisoners, including prominent rapper and activist Maykel “Osorbo” Castillo, a key figure in the 2021 hunger strikes and a symbol of resistance against the suppression of the 11J protesters.
Osorbo, who has endured repeated placements in punishment cells, joined the demonstration to demand better conditions and immediate release. This collective action reflects the growing desperation and unity among Cuba’s political prisoners amid the regime’s continued crackdown.
“The conditions described by Moraima Rodríguez Batista are not only a violation of basic human dignity but a direct threat to the lives of those imprisoned for their beliefs,” said John Suarez, Executive Director of the Center for a Free Cuba. “Alexander Díaz Rodríguez’s untreated cancer and the broader protest signal a humanitarian crisis that demands international intervention. We echo the calls from the U.S. Embassy in Havana and organizations like Freedom House for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including high-profile detainees like Maykel Osorbo.”
The Center for a Free Cuba urges the international community, human rights organizations, and governments to condemn these abuses and pressure the Cuban regime for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
We are also calling for an international corridor to provide humanitarian assistance directly to Cubans in need without Havana diverting the aide.
The video testimony is available for viewing on our X account ( @cubacenter) and serves as a urgent call to action. https://x.com/cubacenter/status/2031147429148393896
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Center for a Free Cuba
Email: john.suarez@cubacenter.org
Phone: Janisset Rivero (786) 208-6056
Website: www.cubacenter.org
About the Center for a Free Cuba
The Center for a Free Cuba is an independent, non-partisan institution dedicated to promoting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Cuba through research, advocacy, and education.