Cuba sees rise in repression and prison incidents, Cubalex reports

The human rights organization Cubalex reported an increase in state repression in Cuba during September, noting that while public protests declined by 63%, repressive incidents rose to 298.

Repression was heavily concentrated in the prison system, accounting for 49% of all documented incidents. Cubalex highlighted an unprecedented communication blackout where families were unable to contact inmates for nearly a week, marking the highest level of isolation seen in 2026. Within these facilities, some prisoners engaged in hunger and thirst strikes to protest their conditions.

Geographically, Havana recorded 38% of the incidents, followed by Camagüey at 15% and Santiago de Cuba at 6%. Notable locations for incidents included the Kilo 8 prison in Camagüey and the Provincial Prison of Las Tunas. The report also documented 12 deaths linked to state custody during the month, the highest monthly figure since February 2026.

Beyond the prisons, the report noted incidents involving activists, journalists, and members of civil society. On September 18, authorities reportedly used police cordons and threats to prevent participation in an event organized by the United States Embassy in Havana. This included acts of discredit directed at the Chargé d’Affaires, Mike Hammer.