Wilber Aguilar Bravo, the father of political prisoner Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera, has raised his voice on Facebook, revealing that his 26-year-old son is the last of the 17 co-defendants still behind bars. The Cuban regime has ramped up harassment against the family as a consequence of their public demands for his release.
Walnier was apprehended on July 20, 2021, at the age of 21, for his involvement in the July 11 protests in La Güinera, Arroyo Naranjo. Despite suffering from a borderline intellectual disability due to an organic cause with documented brain injury, Walnier was convicted of sedition and sentenced to 12 years—an initial request of 22 to 23 years was reduced on appeal. The court disregarded the evaluations from a psychiatrist, psychologist, neurologist, and medical commission.
Continued Imprisonment and Family Struggles
"While I'm relieved the 17 others from my son's trial are free, they should never have been jailed, just like Walnier. He remains in maximum and severe confinement, having spent five years locked away," Wilber stated in the video.
Rather than easing his confinement, in January 2026, Walnier was transferred to a prison in Sancti Spíritus, over 300 kilometers from his home in Havana. His father views this as an act of "vindictiveness," possibly in retaliation for the family's regular protests outside the previous prison.
"They moved him to Sancti Spíritus. We have to travel over 300 kilometers to see Walnier in a country lacking transport and fuel. It's vengeful," Wilber Aguilar Bravo said. The arduous journey results in a meager two-hour visit.
Systematic Harassment and International Attention
The harassment extends beyond Walnier's imprisonment. Wilber describes a persistent pattern of police intimidation with patrols stationed outside his home monthly, armed men shadowing him during grocery runs, and arbitrary summonses for him, his wife, and their other son.
Authorities have gone further, explicitly warning the family that their social media activism could negatively impact Walnier's prison benefits, leveraging his situation to muzzle his father.
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights reported at least six instances of repression against Wilber Aguilar Bravo throughout 2026, including interrogation summonses and an incident in July when agents prevented him from leaving his home.
Walnier's case has garnered international support. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures for Walnier in July 2022 and extended protection to his family in January 2025 through Resolution 9/2025, recognizing the severity, urgency, and risk of irreparable harm.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba publicly condemned the abuses against Walnier in November 2025, demanding his immediate release. Organizations like Prisoners Defenders and the OCDH continue to campaign actively on his behalf.
As of late July 2026, Prisoners Defenders reported 1,306 political prisoners in Cuba, including 40 minors. Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera remains a prominent figure among the 11J cases due to his medical condition, the harshness of his sentence, and the relentless harassment faced by those advocating for his freedom.
"There's nothing more painful than being unable to defend your own child. The helplessness is overwhelming when you can't protect your child," the father of the young political prisoner lamented.
Understanding the Situation of Political Prisoners in Cuba
Why is Walnier Luis Aguilar Rivera still imprisoned?
Walnier is still in prison due to his conviction for sedition after participating in the July 11 protests. His case is particularly concerning because of his documented intellectual disability, which the court ignored.
What actions have been taken by international organizations?
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures to Walnier and his family, while the U.S. Embassy in Cuba and organizations like Prisoners Defenders and OCDH have demanded his release and continue to campaign for him.
How has the family's activism affected Walnier's situation?
The family's activism on social media has led to warnings from authorities that it could impact Walnier's prison benefits, using his situation to attempt to silence his father's public outcry.