Over 500 prisoners suffering from “alimentary dystrophia” in prison "Combinado de Guantánamo"

(GUANTÁNAMO, CUBA, December 4, 2001)  - The existence of over 100 prisoners with “alimentary dystrophia” in the provincial prison of “Combinado de Guatánamo” was made public on October 4th of this year.

Today, only 2 months after, the number of prisoners with this disease has increased to over 500 in this prison alone.

Ulcers, dizziness and a deterioration of memory and mental abilities are symptoms of this disease; people can only be saved if fed properly. In this prison, the penal population’s food ration consists of one cup of rice, poorly cooked and a cup of soup.  Lunch is served at 10:00 a.m. and dinner at 3:00 p.m.

According to a source, political prisoner Yulian Hernández, and members of his family have repeatedly complained about this situation. It is important to note that every prisoner is removed from the rationing card of his household; theoretically, he is supposed to receive his fixed food ration in jail, which is not being done.

Meanwhile, prison authorities of the penitentiary, headed by Lieutenant Jorge Chediak Pérez, Warden, overseen by Major Pablo Reyes Cobas, Chief of the Interior Order (whom was demoted in April of 1999 for the crime of theft and was promoted again one year later), are the ones responsible for the food by-products destined for the prisoners in said prison.

Reported, Fedinando Castro de Lardiller, Delegate in Guantánamo of The Democratic Party 30 of November "Frank País".  To the Information Bridge Cuba Miami.