On Wednesday, representatives from the United States Embassy in Cuba traveled to Perico, Matanzas to meet with Sonia Álvarez Campillo, the wife of political prisoner Félix Navarro Rodríguez and mother of Saylí Navarro Álvarez, who is also incarcerated. The embassy shared details of this visit on its official X account, stating, "We remain concerned about them."
Activists Iván Hernández Carrillo and Asunción Carrillo Hernández also attended the meeting, which was accompanied by the hashtag #FreeThemAll, describing the father and daughter as "unjustly imprisoned."
This visit comes amid heightened concerns over the health of Félix Navarro, who has been isolated in the infirmary of Agüica prison in Colón, Matanzas, for over 66 days at the time of the visit.
Félix, a long-time dissident and founder of the Pedro Luis Boitel Party for Democracy, suffers from diabetes. His wife has publicly complained about the lack of regular glucose monitoring and adequate medical care for him.
Earlier in the year, he underwent tests for potential tuberculosis symptoms, yet his family was not promptly informed of the results.
In April 2026, documented reports indicated that Félix was beaten inside the prison and subsequently placed in solitary confinement.
His daughter, Saylí, who is serving an eight-year sentence at the La Bellotex women's prison—also in Matanzas—faced disciplinary action in May after publicly speaking out about the assault on her father.
Both were arrested on July 12, 2021, in Perico while inquiring at a police station about activists detained following the July 11 protests. They were sentenced in March 2022 to nine and eight years in prison, respectively.
The diplomatic mission in Matanzas also included a meeting with historian Alina Bárbara López Hernández, as part of the embassy's ongoing policy of direct visits to the families of prisoners and activists throughout 2026. The Navarro family was previously contacted in February.
The Navarro case is drawing increasing international attention. Just a day before the visit, Amnesty International once again demanded their immediate and unconditional release, two years after declaring them prisoners of conscience alongside Roberto Pérez Fonseca.
In September, the European Parliament passed a resolution demanding their freedom, linking the demand to the potential suspension of the political dialogue agreement between the European Union and Cuba. That same month, they were nominated for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
"They remain unjustly imprisoned and must be freed immediately and unconditionally," stated Ana Piquer, Amnesty International's Americas director, in October 2026.
Key Questions About Félix and Saylí Navarro's Imprisonment
Why are Félix and Saylí Navarro in prison?
Félix and Saylí Navarro were detained on July 12, 2021, after inquiring about activists arrested post-July 11 protests. They were convicted in March 2022 and sentenced to nine and eight years, respectively.
What are the health concerns regarding Félix Navarro?
Félix Navarro, who suffers from diabetes, has been isolated in the prison infirmary for over 66 days without regular glucose monitoring or adequate medical care.
What international actions have been taken for their release?
Amnesty International has repeatedly called for their release, while the European Parliament passed a resolution demanding their freedom. They were also nominated for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.