Dissident José Daniel Ferrer reported wounded and dead inmates at Canaleta Provincial Prison in Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, along with dozens of prisoners transferred to maximum-security facilities like Kilo 8 Prison, in an X post between 5:45 PM and 8:15 PM UTC on February 19, 2026, amid ongoing protests and repression, according to CiberCuba citing Ferrer. Ferrer referenced persistent reports of casualties and transfers to 'Kilo 8' Prison, known locally as 'I lost the key,' following earlier police blockades of relatives and anti-riot interventions at the facility, as previously reported by activist Echezabal from Cuba Primero and Prisoners Defenders. This development escalates the prison unrest that saw riot troops deploy tear gas and rubber bullets earlier in the day, per Ferrer. In related foreign policy news, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed support for Havana, stating “We have always been on Cuba's side in its struggle for independence,” according to CiberCuba reporting within the window. Separately, Cuban officials labeled information about contacts between U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and dissident “El cangrejo” as “speculation” and denied high-level dialogues with Washington, relying only on “verifiable facts,” as stated by Ernesto Soberón and reported by MagJorgeCastro on X during the period.
