Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart took to Facebook to demand the immediate release of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, a 16-year-old Cuban held in the high-security Canaleta prison in Ciego de Ávila.
"From the United States, we demand FREEDOM now for Jonathan David Muir Burgos! No minor should be pursued, jailed, or intimidated for raising their voice against a dictatorship. The regime in Cuba must release him immediately," wrote the Cuban-American legislator representing Florida's 26th district.
Jonathan was detained on March 16, 2026, after attending a police summons in Morón with his father, evangelical pastor Elier Muir Ávila, days following his participation in the March 13 protests.
Outcry Over Inhumane Conditions
The demonstrations were sparked by power outages exceeding 26 hours daily and the severe food shortages, prompting hundreds of Cubans to storm the headquarters of the Communist Party in Morón, where they set fire to furnishings and documents amid chants of "Freedom!" and "Down with the dictatorship!"
The Morón Municipal Prosecutor's Office ordered preventive detention on April 2, charging the minor with sabotage, which carries penalties ranging from seven to 15 years or more in aggravated cases.
Despite his age, Jonathan was moved to Canaleta, an adult prison, and the Ciego de Ávila Provincial Court denied habeas corpus petitions and requests for a change of precautionary measures submitted by his defense.
International Pressure Mounts
The conditions of his incarceration are alarming. The teenager receives just a single meal per day—served in a small disposable cup of six to eight ounces—and suffers from severe dehydration, infections from beta-hemolytic streptococcus and staphylococcus, as well as two untreated intestinal parasites.
In the early hours of April 23, at 1:45 a.m., Jonathan called his father from prison: "Dad, please get me out of here, I can't take it anymore," describing how bedbugs kept him awake and that he felt his mind "couldn't endure" the situation.
Pastor Elier Muir Ávila has stated that the young man "is malnourished, losing more and more weight. He's very thin."
Calls for Action from Global Leaders
Last Thursday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures to the teenager through Resolution 30/2026, recognizing that his rights to life, personal integrity, and health are at risk of irreparable harm.
The organization had issued an official request on April 10 to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, demanding a response within five days, but the regime failed to provide any information.
International pressure isn't limited to Washington. Spanish Popular Party MEP Raúl de la Hoz Quintano condemned the case last Wednesday, and over 50 Morón residents collected signatures demanding his release.
Díaz-Balart had already denounced the case on March 25, highlighting that "the repression by the regime in Cuba is increasingly brutal, with over a thousand political prisoners behind bars, including minors like Jonathan Muir Burgos."
The Cuban regime has not responded to any international appeals for release or to the IACHR's demands, while Prisoners Defenders recorded 1,214 political prisoners on the island as of February 2026, a record number.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Imprisonment of Jonathan Muir Burgos
Why was Jonathan Muir Burgos arrested?
Jonathan Muir Burgos was arrested for his involvement in protests on March 13, 2026, that were triggered by extensive power outages and severe food shortages in Cuba.
What are the charges against Jonathan?
Jonathan faces charges of sabotage, which carry potential sentences ranging from seven to 15 years in prison or more under aggravated circumstances.
What are the conditions of Jonathan's imprisonment?
Jonathan is held in an adult prison under harsh conditions, receiving minimal food and suffering from multiple untreated health issues.