Two political prisoners — Andry Frómeta Cuenca and Randy Cabrera Mayor — are currently on a hunger strike to protest living conditions and abuses at the Boniato prison in Santiago de Cuba, according to Marti Noticias.
Reporting for Payo Libre, human rights activist Juan Carlos González Leiva writes that Frómeta started his protest Sept. 3, after guards beat him when he refused to wear a prison uniform and for demanding that Cuban officials follow prison standards set by the United Nations. Frómeta, who is naked, has demanded that he be provided with an adequate diet, medical care, a light for his cell and a matttress so he doesn't have to sleep on the floor, according to González's report.
Carmen Caballero Gainza told González that her husband suffers from a variety of medical ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, hemmaroids, chronic bronchitis, peptic ulcers and gastritis.
Frómeta and Cabrera are veterans of prison protests, having carried out hunger strikes and other demonstrations against the dictatorship while imprisoned.
Frómeta, 31, was arrested in 1992, and is currently serving prison terms totaling 47 years "disrespecting" Fidel Castro, illegal exit from the country and other "crimes," committed in and out of prison. In 1999, Cabrera was sentenced to 12 years for trying to leave Cuba without permission.
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