Cuban Political Prisoner's Parents Detail Food Denial, Sparking Rights Concerns

Parents of Cuban Political Prisoner Denounce Denial of Food, Report Verbal Altercation with Prison Official HAVANA, CUBA – The parents of Manuel de Jesús Rodríguez García, a political prisoner held in Cuba, have publicly denounced the authorities for allegedly preventing them from delivering food to their son. The incident, which occurred on February 8th, 2025, at the 5 1/2 prison in Pinar del Río, involved a heated verbal exchange with prison official Norges Martínez Rodríguez. "They didn't let us pass the bag of food," stated the father in a video recording. "They did this to my son, but let other prisoners receive their supplies." The parents claim this is part of a pattern of mistreatment of political prisoners. The video, which has gained traction online, shows the emotional distress of the parents as they recount their experience. While the video itself does not offer independent verification of the claims, it underscores the ongoing concerns about human rights and prison conditions in Cuba. Further investigation is needed to fully ascertain the details of the incident and the prison's response. The incident highlights the broader struggle for human rights in Cuba and the challenges faced by families of political prisoners who often lack access to their loved ones and face obstacles in providing basic necessities. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely.