The organization is requesting information to follow up on the case, in which a seven-year prison sentence is being sought for the minor.
14ymedio, Havana, November 6, 2026 – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is pressing the Cuban government over the case of Jonathan David Muir Burgos, the 17-year-old teenager imprisoned for participating in the protests last March in Morón, Ciego de Ávila. In April, the organization sent an official request to the Cuban Government demanding urgent information about the young man’s situation, as he was then being held in Canaleta, the provincial prison for adults. Now, despite the fact that the minor has been out of prison since June 24, the IACHR insists on following up on his case.
“The priority at this moment must be Jonathan’s protection. We appreciate that the Inter-American Commission continues to monitor his case and has formally requested a response from the Cuban State. We hope the authorities respond to the IACHR and fully guarantee his safety, freedom, due process, and all the rights to which he is entitled as an adolescent,” Juan Carlos Vargas, the organization’s executive director, told the independent news outlet ADN.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla is being asked to provide whatever comments he “considers appropriate within the established deadline” of 90 days
On Thursday, the IACHR announced that it had sent a new official request for information regarding this case. It asks Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla to provide whatever observations he “considers appropriate within the established deadline” of 90 days, so they can be incorporated into the file monitoring the precautionary measures imposed in Muir’s case.
The case against the Morón demonstrators had received little media attention until last October 19, when the prosecution’s request became known. Prosecutors are seeking prison sentences of up to 13 years for the defendants. The case dates back to March 13, when hundreds of residents took to the streets in protest against prolonged blackouts and deteriorating living conditions.
The demonstration ended with the occupation of the municipal headquarters of the Communist Party, which some demonstrators eventually set on fire, resulting in numerous arrests. Nineteen people have been charged in connection with these events with sedition and other crimes, including several women and minors.
One of them is Jonathan David Muir Burgos, who was 16 at the time of the events and for whom a seven-year prison sentence is being sought for sabotage. The young man has been under house arrest since his release from prison, which came after numerous appeals by human rights organizations and foreign officials. Amnesty International called for his immediate release in May and denounced the fact that he was being held with adults.
During his time at Canaleta, his family denounced the poor conditions in which he was being held, while the regime countered by showing unauthorized photographs of Muir playing the piano in prison
The organization recalled that the deprivation of liberty of minors must be used only as a last resort and for the shortest possible period. It also demanded that, for as long as Jonathan remained detained, he be protected from violence, receive medical care, and have regular access to his family and a lawyer of his choice.
On April 24, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted him precautionary measures, determining that his life, personal integrity, and health were at risk of suffering irreparable harm while in the custody of the Cuban State.
During his time at Canaleta, his family denounced the poor conditions in which he was being held, while the Cuban regime countered by displaying unauthorized photographs of Muir playing the piano in prison. “How can a boy who is on the brink of death participate in a charity concert in prison? How can he distribute smiles while moving his hands with such precision?” stated Razones de Cuba.
His father, deeply angered by the illegal distribution of images of a minor without parental consent, said prison authorities had promised him a day of visitation as a reward. “They used him, took pictures of him, recorded videos, even recorded the boy’s blood type to carry out these horrendous things. I denounce them, every one of them. And the prison authorities are also involved in this,” he stated.
Translated by Regina Anavy
______________________
COLLABORATE WITH OUR WORK: The 14ymedio team is committed to practicing serious journalism that reflects Cuba’s reality in all its depth. Thank you for joining us on this long journey. We invite you to continue supporting us by becoming a member of 14ymedio now. Together we can continue transforming journalism in Cuba.