Father of Teen Jonathan Muir Fears for His Son's Life: "They're Already Assaulting Him"

In a desperate plea for help, the father of 16-year-old Jonathan David Muir Burgos, who is incarcerated in the high-security Canaleta prison in Ciego de Ávila, has raised the alarm about his son's safety through opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer García. He claims that his son is being physically attacked by common prisoners at the behest of the State Security, putting his life in jeopardy.

Elier Muir Ávila, an evangelical pastor from Morón, recounted that during his visit last Monday, he observed Jonathan with "a distressed, sad expression" and tears in his eyes from behind the bars, though the teenager said nothing to him. The following day, Jonathan confided, "Dad, they're already sending prisoners after me to beat me up and harm me."

Elier Muir explained that the previous Friday, a prisoner confronted Jonathan after he exited his cell, accusing him of being a "snitch." Jonathan replied, "No, I'm not a snitch, I'm a counter-revolutionary." The assailant threw him to the ground, and they struggled. Elier identified the attacker as a suspected State Security agent disguised as an inmate, similar to another man who interrupted their family visit on Monday, stealing 30 minutes of their time together.

Health Deterioration and Dire Conditions

"They're already assaulting him, brother. I'm very worried because my son told me on Monday that he feels very weak," the father expressed in an audio message shared by Ferrer García. He added, "His life is in danger, brother. They want to label him as one of the main leaders of the protest and accuse him of setting fire to the party headquarters."

Jonathan's health is fragile. He suffers from severe dyshidrosis, infections caused by streptococcus and staphylococcus, two untreated intestinal parasites, vasovagal syncope with episodes of disorientation, and malnutrition. He requires care from four different medical specialists, none of whom have been provided at Canaleta. He receives just one small meal per day.

Elier Muir directly blamed the regime: "I hold the Cuban government, the State Security, and the prison's administration responsible." He pleaded, "Jonathan cannot stay there one second longer, please, Daniel. I'm begging you, report, present the situation—it's dangerous due to Jonathan's health condition. He's not equipped to endure this violence."

Arrest and Legal Battle

Jonathan was detained on March 16 after attending a police summons in Morón, a few days following his participation in the March 13 protests, where he was seen crying amidst the demonstrations sparked by prolonged power outages and severe food shortages. While his father was released shortly after, Jonathan was transferred to Canaleta, an adult maximum-security facility, despite being only 16. The Morón Municipal Prosecutor's Office has charged him with sabotage, a crime that carries a potential sentence of 7 to 15 years.

On April 24, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures for the teenager through Resolution 30/2026, considering his rights to life, personal integrity, and health at irreparable risk. The Cuban regime has ignored the prior request sent to Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.

José Daniel Ferrer García, leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), shared the father's harrowing account, calling for solidarity. "Only a criminal tyranny orders such actions against Jonathan Muir Burgos, a 16-year-old sick teenager with serious health problems in Canaleta prison," he denounced.

Jonathan has a medical appointment scheduled at a hospital in Washington D.C. for May 20, which has been rescheduled for the eighth time since 2023 due to delays in obtaining a humanitarian visa.