Gender: Male

Current Location: Provincial Prison, Santa Clara

Perpetrator: Cuba

Ethnic Group: Yoruba

Religion or Belief: Santería

Health Concerns: Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension, High Blood Pressure, Other Cardiac Issues

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/15/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Assault & Battery Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Loreto Hernández García

Extra Bio Info:

Loreto Hernández García is imprisoned for his religious identity, religious activity, and religious leadership role.

On July 15, 2021, authorities arrested García, vice president of the Free Yoruba Association of Cuba (Asociación de Yorubas Libres de Cuba, or “Free Yorubas”), an independent Santería community, following his peaceful participation in protests on July 11, 2021.

In May 2022, it was reported that García's health has severely deteriorated in prison as authorities fail to provide him food that takes into consideration his diabetes.  It was also reported that García had been sentenced to seven years in prison on an unspecified date for public disorder, contempt, assault, and resistance.

On October 26, 2022, García requested permission to receive medical treatment outside of prison for symptoms believed to be consistent with pancreatic cancer. 

On March 19, 2023, the Ministry of the Interior reportedly informed García that his request to receive medical treatment outside of prison had been refused.

In May 2023, it was reported that prison authorities committed acts of violence against García and placed him in a punishment cell for nearly eight hours. It was further reported that prison authorities continue to deny García the medical treatment he requires for his diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease diagnoses.

In May 2024, it was reported that García’s health has deteriorated significantly while imprisoned. His symptoms include alarming weight loss, frequent fainting, and blood in his urine and feces.

Prison authorities have reportedly tried to force García to renounce his faith.

García is married with two children. His wife Donaida Pérez Paseiro is also in prison for her participation in July 11 protests. 

García reportedly suffers from several health conditions, including high blood pressure, asthma, hypertension, diabetes, and other cardiac issues that put his health at risk as he stays in prison. There are reports that García has been repeatedly denied proper medical care and that prison guards have used violence against him.

García was reportedly transferred from La Pendiente Prison, Santa Clara, to Provincial Prison.

García has reportedly been harassed repeatedly by authorities in the past because of his religious leadership role.

Related Cases: Donaida Pérez Paseiro, Elizabeth Cintra García, Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, Lisdani Rodríguez Isaac

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