Approximately 1,000 political prisoners are held in Cuban prisons in inhuman conditions.

Error detected

The claimed figure of approximately 1,000 understates the documented number of political prisoners in Cuba. Prisoners Defenders reported 1,197 at the end of 2025, 1,214 in February 2026, and a record 1,260 in April 2026—20% to 26% higher than the claim.

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite any source for the figure of approximately 1,000 political prisoners.
• No specific time period was stated; the most recent data available before the session (Prisoners Defenders, 14 May 2026) reported a record high of 1,260 political prisoners as of April 2026.
• The figure of 'approximately 1,000' appears closer to data from 2023–2024 (e.g., Human Rights Watch World Report 2025 cited 'over 1,000' for events of 2024) and is outdated relative to the steep increase documented in 2025–2026.
• Human Rights Watch's World Report 2026 cited Prisoners Defenders reporting 'nearly 700' as of October 2025, indicating the number surged rapidly in the final months of 2025—a dynamic not reflected in the static 'approximately 1,000' figure.

Sources

• SecondaryPrisoners DefendersPrisoners Defenders documented 1,260 political prisoners in Cuba as of April 2026, a new absolute record, with reports of torture, sexual assault, and death threats.
• SecondaryNPRThe nonprofit Prisoners Defenders reported there were 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba as of February 2026.
• SecondaryHuman Rights WatchCuba held over 1,000 people, including 30 children under age 18, as political prisoners (covering events of 2024).
• SecondaryHuman Rights WatchThe NGO Prisoners Defenders reported that as of October, Cuba held nearly 700 political prisoners behind bars. By the end of 2025, the number had risen to 1,197 according to the same NGO.