SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- The Cuban political prisoner Carlos Manuel Pupo Rodrigueznational coordinator of the Union Party for Cuba Libre (PUNCLI), suffered a cerebral ischemia on Tuesday and is in serious condition, according to the human rights organization Cubalex.
The entity explained that Pupo Rodriguez He had a transient ischemia on Saturday, but as he did not receive the necessary medical attention and was decompensated, he suffered a more severe one on Tuesday.
Given this situation, the prison authorities decided to transfer him to the Artemisa hospital. “Later, they performed a CT scan at the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital in Havana to assess the brain damage,” Cubalex said.
A witness who saw him at the Havana hospital confirmed to Cubalex that he has paralysis in his hand, mouth and leg. The ischemia could have been caused by high blood pressure, the specialist who is treating him speculated.
However, despite the seriousness of his condition, State Security ordered his transfer back to Artemisa “to keep him away from the PUNCLI and Emilia Project activists who live in Havana.”
Pupo Rodríguez, 70, is facing a serious diabetes decompensation, with dangerously low sugar levels, which constitutes a medical emergency.
On August 31, despite his delicate condition, Pupo was transferred from the camp where he was being held to the Guanajay prison in the province of Artemisa, which generated even more concern among his relatives.
At seven decades old, he is one of the oldest Cuban political prisoners, making him one of the most vulnerable in the island’s prison system. Since his arrest, his health has been in constant decline, aggravated by the lack of access to essential medications to treat his diabetes and hypertension.
In mid-August, he suffered a fall in prison while walking to the bathroom with a water tank. He hit his head and a previously operated leg hard. Despite the seriousness of these incidents, he has not received the necessary medical attention, which has further worsened his already fragile condition.
Pupo Rodríguez is serving a six-year prison sentence for his participation in the protests of July 11 and 12, 2021 (11J) in San Antonio de los Baños, province of Artemisa.
Before his arrest, in addition to leading PUNCLI, he was one of the promoters of the Emilia Project, an initiative that advocates for democratic changes in the country.
