Dissident freed
The week's news at a glance.
Havana
Francisco Chaviano, identified by human-rights groups as Cuba’s longest-serving political prisoner, was released last week after nearly 13 years of confinement. Chaviano, a former teacher, was arrested and tried in 1995 for revealing state secrets, in a trial that international observers said was a sham. Cuban authorities claimed that Chaviano, who had publicized corruption by government officials, was a “counterrevolutionary mercenary” on the payroll of the CIA. According to human-rights groups, Cuba is holding at least 200 political prisoners. Those prisoners, activists say, are often beaten and denied adequate food and medical care.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?
In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meat
The Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human blood
Under the radar Drugging the bugs
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published