There are more than 1,200 political prisoners currently imprisoned in Cuba.

Omissions

• The claim does not specify the source of the figure, which comes from the Madrid-based NGO Prisoners Defenders, not from an official or intergovernmental body.
• Data most recently available before the session date (19 May 2026) is from April 2026; the exact number as of May 2026 could differ due to prisoner releases that began on 3 April 2026.
• The Cuban government denies holding political prisoners, classifying detainees as common criminals; the 1,200+ figure reflects the definition used by human rights organisations.
• The NPR article published on 3 April 2026 cited 1,214 political prisoners registered by Prisoners Defenders, while the same NGO reported 1,260 in its April 2026 report — the MEP's 'more than 1,200' glosses over a possible range as wide as 46 individuals.

Sources

• PrimaryPrisoners DefendersIn July 2025, Prisoners Defenders recorded 1,176 political prisoners in Cuba, then a record high.
• SecondaryNPRCuba's government denies holding political prisoners, but the activist group Prisoners Defended registered 1,214 people imprisoned for political reasons.
• SecondaryHuman Rights WatchOn April 2, the Cuban government announced the release of 2,010 prisoners, framing it as a 'humanitarian gesture.' The article title states the release 'Excludes Critics'.
• SecondaryBBC NewsCuba holds hundreds of political prisoners behind bars, according to human rights groups.