MIAMI, United States. – Cuban political prisoner Andy García Lorenzo has been on hunger strike for nine days, according to his sister, Roxana García Lorenzo, through a post on Facebook. The young man’s family learned about the strike only this Thursday, during the monthly visit that his parents made to the prison where the 11J prisoner remains held.
García Lorenzo demands the return of some personal letters that were taken from him by prison authorities. The young man’s mother, who was able to see him in person, described his condition: “I saw him in a bad way. His eyes were sunken, with black circles under his eyes, extremely thin… He was short of breath when speaking; “He tried to do it, but he had to speak very slowly because he no longer has the strength.”
According to the sister, her situation continues to be marked by the systematic violation of human rights. García Lorenzo, about to serve four years in prison, faces the denial of his parole and reduced sentence.
The family assured that they are also alarmed because “during his last hunger strike “He was beaten and subjected to inhumane conditions.”
In her complaint, Roxana García Lorenzo demanded the immediate return of the letters, as well as the release of her brother and respect for her fundamental rights. The family held the Cuban regime and State Security responsible for any physical or psychological damage that the young man may suffer. He also urged the national and international community to exert pressure: “Andy’s life depends on the pressure we can exert together,” wrote the political prisoner’s sister.
Andy García Lorenzo was violently arrested on July 11, 2021 and sentenced to four years in prison for participating, in Santa Clara, in the popular protests that spread throughout Cuba that day. In May 2022 was released for five days, and returned to prison, this time to a work camp for inmates.
