Yasmani GONZÁLEZ VALDÉS

Yasmani González Valdés (also known as ’Libre Libre’) continued to serve a  four-year prison sentence throughout the year, after conviction of ‘propaganda against the constitutional order’ under Article 124 of the Penal Code. He has been held in the Combinado del Este Prison since 29 May 2023. In September 2025, his wife reported that he has lost a lot of weight, and she fears for his life because of his treatment in prison. She also reported that, due to lack of medical attention, he has lost teeth and faces chronic pain.  

González Valdés was arrested at his home on 20 April 2023 for alleged involvement in painting anti-Cuban Communist Party graffiti (see Case Lists 2023/2024-2025).  On 2 February, he sent a letter from prison denouncing the violation of his rights in prison, including the denial of conditional release. 

Rapper and activist Yasmani González Valdés was born in Artemisa on 2 September 1992. Previously, in 2022, González Valdés was fined CUP3,000 (about USD125) under Decree Law 370 for posting denunciations against the Cuban government on social media.