U.S. Department of State expresses concern about the plight of imprisoned Cuban pro-democracy activist on hunger strike

U.S. calls on Cuban government to free Mr. Nuñez Magdariaga.

The Wrongful Detention of Tomás Nuñez Magdariaga in Cuba

Heather Nauert
Department Spokesperson
Washington, DC
October 4, 2018

The United States is gravely concerned about the physical health of Cuban democratic activist Tomás Nuñez Magdariaga, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 50 days in protest against his wrongful imprisonment. We understand his health is in a critical state, and that the authorities have denied his family the opportunity to see him. Cuban authorities arrested Mr. Nunez, a member of Cuba’s largest opposition group, the Patriotic Union of Cuba, on false charges and convicted him in a sham trial, during which they denied him the opportunity to present witnesses in his favor.

Cuban democracy and human rights activists have long experienced and denounced the Cuban government’s use of arbitrary detention on spurious charges as a tool of repression. Mr. Nunez’s condition is cruel confirmation of these wrongful practices, and serves as a dark reminder that there is no due process for those who criticize the Cuban government. The United States condemns these practices in the strongest terms, and calls on the Cuban government to release Mr. Nunez, whose life hangs in the balance, and all political prisoners in Cuba.

Tomás Nuñez Magdariaga: Before and now on hunger strike