Félix Navarro Rodríguez

Félix Navarro Rodríguez
Born Perico, Matanzas Province, Cuba
Nationality Cuban
Occupation farmer, teacher
Known for dissident politics, 2003-2011 imprisonment
Children Sayli Navarro[1]

Félix Navarro Rodríguez (born c. 1955) is a Cuban farmer, teacher, and dissident from Perico, Matanzas Province.[2][3]

On 18 March 2003, he was arrested as part of the Black Spring, a general crackdown by the Cuban government on pro-democracy groups. He was sentenced to fifty years in prison at Guantánamo, leading Amnesty International to name him a prisoner of conscience.[2] In October 2005, he joined a hunger strike with other imprisoned dissidents, leading students at Florida International University to stage a fast as a show of solidarity.[4]

Navarro remained in prison until 2011.[5] He and Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia were released on 23 March 2011 as part of an agreement between the Cuban government and the Catholic Church. They were the last two prisoners of the Black Spring to be released. In a statement to Reuters, Navarro announced his intention to pursue the "continue the peaceful, not violent struggle" for democracy.[3]

On 24 July 2012, he was one of dozens of activists arrested in Havana at the funeral of dissident Oswaldo Payá.[6] Amnesty International and the U.S. criticized the arrests, with the White House describing them as "a stark demonstration of the climate of repression in Cuba."[7] The dissidents were freed the following day.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Madeline Baró Diaz (17 May 2004). "S. Florida children send money, hope to families of Cuban dissidents". The Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Prisoners of conscience: 71 longing for freedom". Amnesty International. 18 March 2005. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 Jeff Franks (23 March 2011). "Cuba frees last of prisoners from 2003 crackdown". Reuters. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  4. ↑ "Twenty FIU Students Fast in Support of Jailed Cubans". The Miami Herald. 5 October 2005.
  5. ↑ "Cuba urged to release jailed activists". Amnesty International. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Cuba: Dozens arrested at funeral of prominent rights activist". Amnesty International. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "US, Amnesty Critical of Cuban Dissident Detentions". ABC News. Associated Press. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Police free Cubans detained at Oswaldo Paya's funeral". BBC News. 25 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
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