Mexico City [Mexico], July 10: More than 1,300 political prisoners are being held in Cuba, a human rights organization said on Thursday ahead of the fifth anniversary of mass protests on the socialist-run island. The Cuban government has tightened its pre-emptive crackdown on potential leaders of fresh protests ahead of the anniversary on July 11, the Madrid-based Prisoners Defenders.
In June alone, 32 new political prisoners were held, including content creators, journalists, a rapper, an Evangelical pastor, opposition figures and a doctor. A further 21 cases are currently under review.
"The evidence points to a repressive campaign targeting individuals with social influence, aimed at preventing any attempt at mobilization ahead of the anniversary," the organization stated. Of those classified as political prisoners, 40 were minors at the time of their arrest.
Most activists and dissidents are now either in prison or in exile. One of them is the visual artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara.
Source: Qatar Tribune
