Juan Wilfredo Soto died in a hospital on Sunday in central Cuban city of Santa Clara . State - run media said Soto was detained , but released three hours later without incident . `` External and internal enemies try to distort the Cuban reality and undermine the international prestige of the Revolution and its moral strength , '' the article concluded . Fellow dissidents said Soto was beaten by police , who caused his death . Arnaldo Milian Hospital said he had died of pancreatitis .
Juan Wilfredo Soto died in a hospital on Sunday in central Cuban city of Santa Clara . State - run media said Soto was detained , but released three hours later without incident . Fellow dissidents said Soto was beaten by police , who caused his death . Arnaldo Milian Hospital said he had died of pancreatitis .