Mike Hammer, the chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, used Father's Day to spotlight the anguish of Cuban families with children held as political prisoners. On Sunday, he shared screenshots from his video calls with several parents of these prisoners on Facebook.
"Today, Father's Day should be a joyous occasion, but for many Cuban parents, it is far from that. It is indeed a challenging day that brings even more heartache," Hammer commented in a message released by the embassy.
Among those he spoke with was Pastor Elier Muir, whose son, Jonathan David Muir Burgos, aged 16, is confined in Canaleta prison, a high-security adult facility in Ciego de Ávila. The teenager was arrested in March 2026 in Morón, accused of sabotage—a charge in Cuba that carries sentences ranging from seven to 15 years. Amnesty International recognized him as a prisoner of conscience through an urgent action in May 2026.
Hammer also reached out to Wilber Aguilar, father of Walnier Aguilar Rivera, who was detained on July 20, 2021, and charged with sedition following the 11J protests. In January 2026, Wilber Aguilar reported renewed pressures from prison guards on his son.
Other parents involved in the video calls included Leonel Porras, father of Yasmani Porras Pérez; José Cazañas Luzardo, father of Leydiana Cazañas Amador, detained on March 29, 2023; and Jorge Martín Blanco, father of brothers Nadir Martín Perdomo and Jorge Martín Perdomo, who were arrested on July 17, 2021, in San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, and sentenced to six and eight years respectively after the 11J protests in Cuba.
The embassy's message also expressed solidarity with fathers who themselves are political prisoners and remain separated from their children, as well as those living in exile and unable to be with their families.
"May this be the last Father's Day spent apart!" Hammer concluded.
This gesture is part of a public diplomacy strategy Hammer has pursued since becoming chief of mission on November 14, 2024.
The diplomat has visited several Cuban provinces, met with activists and families of detainees, and shared these interactions on social media. On June 12, he met with former political prisoner Fernando Ginarte Mora and his children at the official embassy residence in Havana, and on May 29, he visited San Antonio de los Baños to meet the mother of an 11J political prisoner.
Understanding the Impact of Political Imprisonment in Cuba
What is the significance of the 11J protests in Cuba?
The 11J protests in Cuba refer to a series of demonstrations that took place on July 11, 2021, where thousands of Cubans took to the streets to protest against the government, demanding freedom and better living conditions. These protests were met with a severe crackdown by the authorities.
Who is Amnesty International and what role did they play regarding Cuban prisoners?
Amnesty International is a global organization dedicated to fighting injustices and promoting human rights. They have played a crucial role in highlighting the plight of Cuban political prisoners by designating individuals, like Jonathan David Muir Burgos, as prisoners of conscience, and calling for their release.