Cubalex received information about the death He was under the custody of Leudis Ramos Mejías, 31, a native of Mayarí (Holguín). He was serving a seven-year sentence for a common crime at the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, in cell 29 of detachment 13. According to available information, he had been depressed for several days due to a debt within the prison and feared reprisals from the paramilitaries who control the detachment. The young man requested a transfer and protection from the authorities, but his request was ignored. In the early morning of September 30, 2025, he was found dead in his cell.
Duties of the State
The Cuban State is responsible for the life and integrity of all persons deprived of freedom. In accordance with international standards, it has the obligation to prevent risk situations, guarantee specialized care, protect against threats from third parties and investigate independently, impartially and effectively every death that occurs in prison.
Pattern documented by Cubalex
The case of Leudis Ramos Mejías confirms a pattern of negligence and violence institutional issues that Cubalex has systematically documented. Among the most frequent factors are inhumane prison conditions, violence, neglect of mental and physical health, malnutrition, disease, and lack of adequate medical care.
Cubalex requirements
Cubalex demands that Cuban authorities conduct an immediate, independent, and thorough investigation to determine responsibility and ensure accountability. It also reiterates the need to implement urgent preventative measures, including mental health care, effective reporting and protection mechanisms, and external oversight of prisons.
To learn more about the patterns of deaths in custody in Cuba identified by our team, you can consult the report. complete on our website.