Wilber Aguilar Bravo recently reported that he has been unable to visit his son, Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera, a political prisoner from the July 11th protests, for 108 days according to his personal records. Walnier is currently held at Nieves Morejón prison in Guayos, Sancti Spíritus.
In a Facebook post, Aguilar Bravo described how prison authorities are not only denying him visits but also preventing the delivery of food, soap, and deodorant to his son, who is detained over 300 kilometers from their home in Havana.
"We have had to turn our pain into strength. We remain committed to the truth," Aguilar Bravo wrote. He also addressed those who remain silent in the face of repression: "To all the accomplices and those who turn a blind eye to our suffering."
Systematic Harassment of the Aguilar Family
The family faces systematic harassment, which has been well-documented. On August 30, after traveling from Havana, they arrived at the prison at 7 a.m. after more than 24 hours without sleep, only to be told at 11 a.m. that their visit "wasn't coordinated" and needed to be arranged with State Security in the capital. Weeks later, Wilber made another trip to Sancti Spíritus and was turned away again, marking 84 days without contact with his son at that time.
The regime uses Walnier's rights as a prisoner to exert pressure: authorities have warned the family that Wilber's social media activity negatively impacts his son's conditions in prison.
International and Human Rights Support
Human rights groups, including the Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos, have documented at least six acts of repression against Wilber Aguilar in 2026. These include interrogation summonses for him, his wife Rosario Rivera Román, and their son Wagner, police surveillance outside their home, and incidents where agents prevented him from leaving his residence.
Walnier, born on February 13, 2000, was arrested on July 20, 2021, after participating in protests in the La Güinera neighborhood, Arroyo Naranjo. Initially sentenced to 23 years for sedition, his sentence was reduced to 12 years on appeal.
His family and human rights organizations have highlighted his intellectual disability, linked to an organic brain injury, which specialists documented, but the court ignored when sentencing him. Walnier is reportedly the only one among 17 co-defendants still imprisoned, following the release of other July 11th protesters in 2025 and 2026.
Calls for Freedom and Justice
The organization Citizenship and Freedom supported the family's complaint, demanding the restoration of family contact, the cessation of restrictions within the prison, and Walnier's release. "No parent should go months without hugging their child for exercising their rights," the organization stated.
The case has gained international attention: the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures to Walnier in July 2022 and extended protection to his family in January 2025. In November of that year, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba publicly condemned the abuses against the young man and called for his immediate release.
The plight of Walnier is part of a broader pattern of sustained repression. According to an interactive list by Cubalex, Cuba currently holds 677 documented political prisoners, while Prisoners Defenders reported 1,351 as of the end of September 2026.
"Freedom for my son Walnier, freedom for all political prisoners, peace for Cuban families," Aguilar Bravo concluded in his Saturday post, echoing a phrase he has repeated since his son was imprisoned five years ago.
Current Situation and Impact of Political Repression in Cuba
What are the charges against Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera?
Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera was charged with sedition for participating in the protests on July 11, 2021, in La Güinera, Arroyo Naranjo. He was initially sentenced to 23 years in prison, which was later reduced to 12 years.
How have international organizations responded to Walnier's case?
International organizations like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have granted precautionary measures to Walnier and his family. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba has also publicly condemned the abuses against him and demanded his release.
What challenges does Walnier's family face in visiting him?
Walnier's family faces multiple challenges, including being denied visits and blocked from delivering essential items like food and hygiene products. They have been told that visits need to be coordinated with State Security in Havana, which has resulted in long periods without contact.