Prison Riot in Cuba's Canaleta Leaves at Least Seven Dead

A violent riot erupted at Canaleta high-security prison in Ciego de Ávila, leaving at least seven dead and dozens injured, according to NGOs Prisoners Defenders and the Cuban Prisons Documentation Center (CDPC). Cuban authorities have remained completely silent on the events.

What happened at Canaleta

According to inmate testimonies obtained by Spain’s EFE news agency, both political and common prisoners revolted in the early hours of Thursday, chanting “Freedom”, “Patria y Vida” (Homeland and Life), and slogans against President Díaz-Canel.

The reasons behind the uprising were clear: hunger, abuse, and inhumane conditions inside the facility.

Authorities responded with force. Police reinforcements were deployed using:

• Rubber bullets
• Pepper spray
• Physical violence

Prisoners Defenders reported on social media that witnesses saw “seven coffins leaving the prison”, while other outlets cite lower death tolls. Injured inmates were reportedly transferred to nearby hospitals.

Official silence

As of publication, neither the Cuban government nor state media have issued any statement about the riot. They have not confirmed or denied the reports from NGOs and international media including ABC and Infobae.

The Mexico-based CDPC has demanded “urgent official information” on the health status of Canaleta inmates.

Canaleta’s troubling track record

The Canaleta prison has been the subject of multiple human rights complaints, including:

• Extreme overcrowding and unsanitary conditions
• Insufficient food in both quality and quantity
• Precarious medical care
• Internal corruption
• Political repression against prisoners

A crisis within a crisis

The riot comes as Cuba faces its worst crisis in decades. The U.S. oil blockade has worsened food and fuel shortages across the island — conditions that are inevitably felt inside prisons.

This Friday, Cuba’s state electric utility forecasted blackouts affecting 56% of the country simultaneously during peak hours, with an estimated deficit of 1,738 MW — yet another sign of how deep the crisis runs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at Canaleta prison?

A riot broke out at the high-security Canaleta prison in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Both political and common prisoners revolted over hunger and inhumane conditions. NGOs report at least seven dead and dozens injured after a police crackdown.

What has the Cuban government said?

As of now, Cuban authorities have issued no official statement about the riot and have neither confirmed nor denied reports of fatalities.

Who reported the events?

The NGOs Prisoners Defenders and the Cuban Prisons Documentation Center (CDPC) confirmed the riot to Spain’s EFE news agency. International media including ABC, Infobae, and CiberCuba have also covered the story.

Why did inmates riot?

According to inmate testimonies, the uprising was driven by hunger, physical abuse, and inhumane conditions inside the prison, worsened by the economic and energy crisis affecting all of Cuba.