Cuba: Two years after being named prisoners of conscience, Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro and Roberto Pérez Fonseca must be released

On 23 October 2024, Amnesty International named Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro and Roberto Pérez Fonseca prisoners of conscience, concluding that they had been deprived of their liberty solely for peacefully exercising their human rights. Two years later, they remain unjustly imprisoned amid the continued politically motivated detention and repression of critical voices in Cuba.

In response, Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director, said:

“Two years after being named prisoners of conscience, Félix Navarro, Sayli Navarro and Roberto Pérez Fonseca remain unjustly deprived of their liberty. That means two more years separated from their families, subjected to the harsh conditions of Cuba’s prison system and punished solely for exercising their human rights. The Cuban authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally. They should not spend another day behind bars.”

That means two more years separated from their families, subjected to the harsh conditions of Cuba’s prison system and punished solely for exercising their human rights. The Cuban authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.”

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.

Félix Navarro is a political dissident and founder of the Pedro Luis Boitel Party for Democracy. He was sentenced to nine years in prison. His current imprisonment marks the third time he has been deprived of his liberty for political reasons.

Sayli Navarro is an activist and member of the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White) movement. She was sentenced to eight years in prison after being arbitrarily detained amid the repression that followed the July 2021 protests.

Roberto Pérez Fonseca is an activist and human rights defender. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his peaceful participation in the 11 July 2021 protests. Among the acts used to convict him was footage showing him tearing up an image of Fidel Castro during the protests.

“Félix, Sayli and Roberto represent many others in Cuba who have been imprisoned for protesting, dissenting or defending human rights. Their sentences illustrate how the authorities continue to misuse the criminal justice system to silence critical voices. Expressing an opinion, taking part in a protest or demanding respect for human rights must never result in years behind bars,” said Ana Piquer.

Félix, Sayli and Roberto represent many others in Cuba who have been imprisoned for protesting, dissenting or defending human rights. Their sentences illustrate how the authorities continue to misuse the criminal justice system to silence critical voices.”

Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.

Information received by Amnesty International in 2026 shows that the injustice of their imprisonment is compounded by the conditions in which they continue to be held.

Félix Navarro’s situation remains particularly serious. He continues to be held in prolonged isolation and has very limited access to the outdoors. In January 2026, he underwent medical testing after showing possible symptoms of tuberculosis, but neither he nor his family received timely information about the results, raising serious concerns about his health and access to adequate medical care.

Sayli Navarro remains detained in conditions that put her health and physical integrity at risk, including in a prison that has lacked regular access to safe drinking water. The authorities have also repeatedly denied her access to prison benefits on the basis of “re-education” criteria.

Roberto Pérez Fonseca has serious chronic health conditions, whose deterioration during his imprisonment is of particular concern. He has been held in punishment cells, received inadequate medical care and faced difficulties communicating with his family.

In 2026, Amnesty International has also documented obstacles and delays in legal procedures available to people who, because of serious medical conditions, may be eligible for release on health grounds.

“It is deeply alarming that, in addition to being unjustly imprisoned, these individuals continue to be subjected to conditions that may endanger their health, physical integrity and dignity. The Cuban state is responsible for protecting everyone in its custody and must immediately ensure adequate medical care, contact with their families and detention conditions that comply with human rights standards for as long as they remain deprived of their liberty,” said Ana Piquer.

Amnesty International continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience in Cuba and an end to the detention of people solely for exercising their human rights.

“The Cuban authorities must end the use of imprisonment, harassment and intimidation to silence dissent. Félix, Sayli and Roberto must regain their freedom, but our call does not end with them. No one should be imprisoned in Cuba for peacefully expressing their views, protesting or defending human rights,” said Ana Piquer.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected]

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