A violent rebellion by inmates occurred at the maximum-security Canaleta prison in Cuba's Ciego de Ávila province. According to reports from non-governmental organizations and independent media, at least seven prisoners were killed in clashes with security forces. The protest, sparked by catastrophic living conditions and guard violence, escalated into a political demonstration targeting the communist regime in Havana.

Fatalities in Canaleta

At least seven prisoners were killed during the suppression of the rebellion, and many were injured after police used weapons and gas.

Causes of the Rebellion

The protest erupted due to a lack of food, physical violence from guards, and terrible sanitary standards at the facility.

Political Demands

Inmates chanted slogans demanding an end to the regime and the restoration of political freedoms in Cuba.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, a bloody riot erupted at the Canaleta penitentiary in central Cuba, exposing the island's growing social tensions. The immediate trigger for the uprising was reportedly the death of a young inmate, who was found dead after being severely beaten by guards for complaining about a lack of food. Both political and common prisoners participated in the protest, demanding improved living conditions and political freedoms. The situation quickly spiraled out of control, forcing authorities to dispatch significant police reinforcements. According to information provided by the organization Prisoners Defenders and the portal Diario de Cuba, the security forces' intervention was extremely brutal. Witnesses report the use of pepper spray, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. The death toll is estimated at 6 to 7 people, and the number of injured remains unknown due to a strict information blockade imposed by the government. Non-governmental organizations warn that the suppression of the rebellion involved gross violations of international standards. This incident is one of the most serious of its kind in recent years, challenging the stability of Cuba's penitentiary system. Cuba's prison system has been criticized for decades by international organizations for its lack of transparency and the detention of hundreds of political prisoners following anti-government protests in 2021. Observers emphasize that the events in Ciego de Ávila fit into the broader context of the country's economic collapse, characterized by chronic shortages of food and medicine. The regime in Havana is trying to marginalize reports of the rebellion, fearing they could inspire similar uprisings in other parts of the country. The situation at Canaleta prison remains tense, and the families of inmates are unsuccessfully trying to obtain information about the fate of their loved ones.

Mentioned People

  • José Daniel Ferrer — Former political prisoner and dissident who provided information about the rebellion.