"Prisoners in Cuba are forced to work producing the country's world-famous cigars and marabu charcoal sold to European consumers, according to a new report. The Madrid-based NGO Prisoners Defenders estimates that at least 60,000 people are being forced to work with little or no pay, under threats, in exhausting conditions and without adequate equipment, with reports of violence including the sexual abuse of female detainees."
"Between April and August 2025, interviews were conducted with 53 individuals from 40 prisons, selected through a random sample drawn from a total population of about 90,000 inmates and 37,000 in open-regime detention. Speaking to the prisoners or their families, the NGO carried out a 61-question survey; to avoid reprisals, all remain anonymous in the report. The NGO said it carried out a further 60 interviews and cross-checked them with documentary sources,"
At least 60,000 people in Cuban prisons are being forced to work producing cigars and marabú charcoal for export to European markets. Prisoners Defenders reports forced labour occurs with little or no pay, under threats, exhausting conditions, inadequate equipment, and reports of violence including sexual abuse of female detainees. The products reach markets such as the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Turkey and charcoal is often labelled as ecological despite being produced in forced-labour conditions. Between April and August 2025, interviews and surveys were used and additional sources cross-checked to estimate the scale. The Cuban government did not respond.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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