The situation of political prisoner Félix Navarro Rodríguez, 71, remains alarming. Although the Cuban state claims he is being held in Agüica prison, in Matanzas province, under supposedly normal conditions, the reality experienced by his wife, Sonia Álvarez, and the evidence gathered by Cubalex indicate otherwise: Félix remains in a state of isolation that prevents verification of his physical well-being, which constitutes an ongoing enforced disappearance according to international standards.
For weeks, Sonia has tried unsuccessfully to have direct contact with her husband. She has repeatedly visited the prison, where she has been denied the possibility of seeing him, hearing his voice, or bringing him food.
Authorities claim that Félix has no "right to visits" nor is he "entitled to phone calls," denials that lack any legal justification and prevent his family from knowing his true state of health. During a recent visit, a prison doctor superficially informed them that "Félix had a cold" or "pharyngitis," but acknowledged that he has not yet received the previously promised X-ray or ultrasound.
The situation is even more serious considering that Félix suffers from uncontrolled diabetes and has not received the food sack his family provides him for over a month. Sonia has reported that even if the visit scheduled for June 19th goes ahead, Félix will go at least 45 days without food, a critical situation for someone with his medical condition. The prison's refusal to accept food, medicine, or allow a phone call constitutes an act of retaliation and a pattern of deliberate isolation.
In his wife's words: “Until I see Félix or speak to him on the phone, I will continue to denounce him. I can’t trust what I’m told if I’m not allowed to verify it. He himself told me: ‘I think I’m on my last legs.’”. This direct testimony, along with the authorities' persistent refusal to allow any form of communication, reinforces the fear that Félix Navarro may be the victim of a covert enforced disappearance.
The current situation not only violates her fundamental rights, but also represents a flagrant breach of the precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which urge the Cuban State to protect her life and physical integrity. Furthermore, the lack of transparency, the refusal to provide verifiable medical reports, and the harassment of Sonia for attempting to bring the case to light further aggravate this situation.
Cubalex insists that the case of Félix Navarro Rodríguez should not be closed or minimized. His critical health condition, prolonged isolation, lack of access to verifiable medical information, and absence of due process constitute an ongoing enforced disappearance, in accordance with international standards.
On May 29, 2025, Cubalex filed a formal response to the Committee against Enforced Disappearances (CED) within the framework of the procedure of Urgent Actions AU Nos. 2033 to 2038/2025, These actions were activated following the arbitrary detention and disappearance of six human rights defenders in Cuba, including Navarro's case. Although the Cuban state requested the closure of Urgent Action AU 2033/2025, alleging his physical location in the Agüica prison, this claim lacks legal and medical support: no documentation was provided regarding the alleged revocation of his parole, his right to visits and phone calls has not been guaranteed, and there is no independent medical report attesting to his state of health.
Cubalex has refuted this position with sound legal arguments and documented evidence, asserting that locating a person does not, in itself, rule out enforced disappearance when conditions of incommunicado detention, defenselessness, and reprisals against family members persist. The international community must continue its vigilance. Félix Navarro's life depends on it.