Plantados

Plantados is a term used to describe a category of Cuban political prisoners and detainees who, after the 1959 Cuban Revolution, refused to accept exile, refuse to publicly align with the new government, or sign pledges of loyalty. The label broadly applied to inmates who chose to resist rehabilitation efforts, continue to challenge the regime from within prison, and reject attempts to isolate or separate dissidents through coercive measures. The plantados are most associated with prolonged confinement and acts of protest, including hunger strikes, as a means of maintaining political stance despite isolation and coercion.

Etymology and usage: The word plantado comes from Spanish, meaning planted or rooted. In this context it signified individuals who remained steadfast and unwilling to be removed from their chosen position or to capitulate to the authorities. The term was used by contemporaries, including other prisoners and dissidents, as well as by observers and commentators to characterize a durable form of resistance inside the Cuban penal system.

Historical context and impact: The plantados emerged in the early decades after the revolution when the state intensified political control and limited opposition. Their resistance drew international attention to prison conditions and human rights concerns in Cuba and became a symbol for some in the Cuban diaspora of steadfast loyalty to personal principles. While some plantados were released or exited through various arrangements over time, many remained imprisoned for extended periods, and the phenomenon highlighted tensions between the government and its opponents.

See also: Cuban Revolution, political prisoners, hunger strikes, human rights in Cuba.