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The Cuban dissident Félix Navarro Rodríguez, a political prisoner and leader of the Pedro Luis Boitel Democratic Party, is in critical health condition inside the maximum-security prison of Agüica, in the province of Matanzas, according to reports from his wife, the activist and Dama de Blanco Sonia Álvarez.
"I think I'm at the end," Navarro expressed in a recent phone call, where he could barely speak due to severe lung pain, according to Álvarez.
The activist directly blamed the Cuban regime for the opposition member's deteriorating health, while demanding immediate medical attention and assurances for his life and physical integrity.
Navarro, aged 70, suffers from diabetes and other chronic health issues. He was detained again on April 29, after having been previously released, and has since been held in conditions that his family describes as inhumane.
Instead of being transferred to a common detention center, he was placed directly in the prison infirmary, where he claims to have contracted the ailment that troubles him.
“Félix never complains. If he says it, it’s because he’s really feeling very unwell,” Álvarez emphasized.
He added that his husband claims to have contracted the disease inside the prison, which reinforces suspicions about possible medical negligence or poor sanitary conditions in the facility known for its harshness and nicknamed by some inmates as "you get located or we locate you."
Navarro was originally sentenced during the Black Spring of 2003, when 75 peaceful opponents were given long prison terms for their political beliefs. Since then, he has remained steadfast in his opposition, becoming an emblematic figure of civic resistance in Cuba.
Human rights organizations, activists both on and off the island, and various independent media have raised their voices in recent hours to demand the immediate release of Navarro and to denounce what they see as a systematic pattern of the Cuban regime: using prisons as a mechanism for political repression and physical punishment.
Journalist José Raúl Gallego warned on social media that "they are killing Félix Navarro," and recalled that similar cases have occurred in the past, where opponents fall ill in prison without receiving timely medical attention.
The opposition figure Carlos Moya, also a political prisoner from the Black Spring, denounced the incident on his social media; and the activist Rosa María Payá issued an urgent call stating that Navarro is in grave danger.
An urgent call has been made to the international community from various media and platforms advocating for human rights.
Frequently Asked Questions about Félix Navarro's Situation and Repression in Cuba
What is Felix Navarro's current health status?
Félix Navarro is in critical health condition in the maximum security prison of Agüica. His condition has significantly deteriorated due to severe lung pain and lack of proper medical attention, as reported by his wife, Sonia Álvarez.
Why was Félix Navarro arrested again?
Félix Navarro was arrested on April 29, 2025, just three months after his conditional release. The Cuban regime claims that his detention was due to "repeated violations" of the conditions of his parole, although these accusations are seen by many as a pretext to silence his political activism.
How has the international community responded to the situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
The international community, including human rights organizations and governments such as that of the United States, has strongly condemned the arbitrary detentions and inhumane treatment of opponents in Cuba. Diplomatic measures and political pressure have been demanded to stop the repression and release political prisoners.
What conditions does Félix Navarro face in Agüica prison?
Félix Navarro faces inhumane conditions in Agüica prison, where he has been held in the infirmary without the necessary medical attention. Poor sanitary conditions and the lack of medication have worsened his health issues, such as diabetes.
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