CASE UPDATE: UNPACU Member & Independent Journalist Fernando Vázquez Guerra Released After Serving 3+ Years for Unpaid Fines

On July 21, 2021, independent journalist and UNPACU member Mr. Fernando Vázquez Guerra was released from Kilo-7 prison in Camagüey, Cuba.
 
Mr. Vázquez was out on parole in 2016 after serving time related to his political activism. In 2017, while on probation, he was re-arrested and re-detained on fabricated crimes of unpaid fines, and sentenced to an additional 3 years.

​While in prison, Mr. Vázquez, was harassed and beaten by guards and targeted by a network of gangs within the prisons of Camagüey. Led by recently retired police Captain Javier Gallo, the gangs were used to attack political prisoners from within prison walls.
 
Mr. Vázquez was not released once his three years were up. While serving his sentence, the regime fabricated additional crimes and added time to his sentence. He ended up serving over 5 years.
 
GLA’s legal expert in Cuba who assisted on his case commented, “He was unjustly imprisoned and all his rights were violated during his entire sentence.”
 
After finally being freed, Mr. Vázquez recorded the following message for GLA’s legal expert about his case and time spent in prison. Mr. Vázquez also recognized those that supported him throughout his imprisonment, and those that helped in his release.
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