As the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests is marked, activist Wilber Aguilar Bravo, whose son is a political prisoner, reported that a patrol from the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) was stationed outside his home.
Photos shared on his Facebook profile depict unit 226-B parked on the street, with worn pavement and electrical wires hanging over the vehicle. Aguilar Bravo described this scene as his way of experiencing the anniversary.
Aguilar Bravo is the father of Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in the 11J demonstrations in La Güinera neighborhood, Arroyo Naranjo, Havana, at the age of 21.
"This is my July 11, possibly also the 12th. More than ever, freedom for my son Walnier, freedom for all political prisoners," he expressed in his post, adding a warning: "Silence and fear cannot speak louder than truth and justice."
This Saturday's harassment isn't an isolated incident. The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights has recorded at least six repressive actions against Aguilar Bravo in 2026, including interrogation summonses in March and June and instances where agents prevented him from leaving his home to obtain food for his imprisoned son.
On July 3, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in Havana specifically mentioned him as one of those affected by the State Security operation aimed at obstructing activists and journalists around the anniversary.
His son's case has become emblematic of the 11J protests. Walnier was apprehended on July 20, 2021, initially sentenced to 23 years for sedition, later reduced to 12 years following an appeal. His defense argued the court disregarded his certified borderline intellectual disability, recognized since 2014.
In 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures to the family due to documented retaliation, urging Cuba to safeguard the young man's life and well-being, especially after he expressed suicidal thoughts during his imprisonment.
Since January 2026, Walnier has been serving his sentence in "Nieves Morejón" prison in Guayos, Sancti Spíritus, over 300 kilometers away from his family, following three transfers to increasingly distant facilities.
The fifth anniversary of 11J arrives amid unprecedented levels of repression. According to Prisoners Defenders, as of June 2026, Cuba holds 1,306 political prisoners, including 40 minors, the highest number ever recorded. An April 2026 pardon released 2,010 inmates but explicitly excluded those convicted of "crimes against authority," under which the 11J protesters were prosecuted.
This Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded the release of Cuban political prisoners on the protest's fifth anniversary, warning that the United States will use "all available tools."
Aguilar Bravo concluded his post with a sentiment reflecting five years of struggle: "The accomplices do more harm than the tyrants."
Frequently Asked Questions about the 11J Protests and Political Prisoners
What sparked the 11J protests in Cuba?
The 11J protests in Cuba on July 11, 2021, were triggered by widespread dissatisfaction with the government, economic hardships, and demands for greater freedoms and rights.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The Cuban government has responded with a heavy-handed approach, detaining many protesters, including minors, and subjecting them to harsh prison sentences.
Who is Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera?
Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera is a young Cuban who participated in the 11J protests and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His case has gained significant attention as emblematic of the government's crackdown on dissent.