Cubalex warns about the serious situation of political prisoner Eider Frómeta Allen, held in the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, who faces a critical deterioration of health and systematic reprisals by the prison authorities.
Critical risk to his life
Since yesterday, Eider Frómeta has been experiencing a hypertensive crisis that left him on the verge of a heart attack, even feeling like he was losing consciousness. Thanks to the solidarity of other inmates at detachment #13, he was able to take amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide to partially control his blood pressure.
Despite this, she has not received medical attention and remains in critical condition with high blood pressure, unable to sleep. Eider claims that the denial of assistance is retaliation for her previous complaints against prison authorities.
His mother reported that she cannot deliver medication to him until next Monday, the only day authorized by the prison for this procedure.
Adding to this situation is the suspension of the food distribution program, a measure that until now allowed inmates to receive food 15 days after each visit to alleviate the severe malnutrition in the prison. According to authorities, the restriction was adopted after the discovery of prohibited substances in some of the food bags, but its immediate effect will be a further deterioration of the inmates' food and living conditions.
Prior retaliation: suspension of family visit
On August 21, Eider Frómeta was arbitrarily denied his legally mandated family visit. According to information received by Cubalex, Major Humberto Garcés, head of Internal Order, prohibited him from seeing his family and told him he could only have one visit. “whenever he felt like it”.
In response to this violation of his rights, Eider protested and was beaten and dragged to the police station. Meanwhile, his mother, sister, and wife waited to see him, but they too were denied that right.
It is important to note that Eider has no sanctions or disciplinary measures that would justify this restriction. The suspension of visits constitutes cruel and arbitrary punishment, isolating him from his family and depriving him of food, basic necessities, and essential support for his survival in prison.
Cubalex demands of the Cuban authorities:
-Guarantee immediate and adequate medical attention to Eider Frómeta Allen.
-End the reprisals against political prisoners in Cuba.
-Restore family visits and measures that allow inmates access to food and medicine, minimum conditions for the protection of their health and dignity.