A high-ranking Cuban security official has called on journalist Guillermo Fariñas to end his hunger strike. The request was made during the first official visit Mr Fariñas has received since beginning his protest.

The journalist has been on hunger strike for almost a month. He started in February, the day after political prisoner Orlando Zapata died on the 85th day of his own hunger strike. Mr Zapata was protesting against conditions in the prison in the Cuban capital Havana, where he was being held.

Mr Fariñas is hoping his protest will obtain the release of 26 other prisoners who require medical treatment. Mr Fariñas was taken to hospital 11 days ago and is now being fed intravenously.
 
His hunger strike and the death of Mr Zapata have sparked international protests against Cuba’s treatment of political prisoners. Cuba insists that it doesn't detain political prisoners and calls the dissidents in its jail ‘mercenaries’ in the pay of the United States.