Edgar Valdez Villarreal, aka “La Barbie” is on hunger strike. One of the most important lieutenants in the organization of the Beltran Leyva Mexican Drug Cartel complains that the Federal Prison Altiplano, located in the state of Mexico, “is a treating inmate like an animal.”

According to the site, MySanAntonio in a note to the reporter Jason Buch, “Barbie,” who is a US citizen, has stopped eating since last September 26, in protest at the way he is being treated.

The family of Edgar Valdez said in an email that “Barbie” has claimed extremely poor conditions that criminals are subjected to within the Altiplano, where he is confined to a small cell and has no opportunity to exercise.

Besides the poor conditions, the two brothers are also accusing the prison authorities of starting a rumor labeling La Barbie as an informer. “This action has endangered his life behind bars. “Said Abel Valdez, his brother.