A Christian teenager in Cuba has reportedly been denied urgent medical treatment while being held in a high-security prison after taking part in peaceful anti-government protests earlier this year.

Advocacy group Open Doors said Jonathan Muir Burgos’ case “demands a clear response” as concerns continued to grow over his health and religious freedom in the country.

The 16-year-old was arrested alongside his father, pastor Elier Muir Ávila, in mid-March after demonstrations against the Cuban regime. After questioning, his father was released, but Jonathan remained in detention despite what campaigners said was a lack of evidence.

On 2 April 2026, prosecutors formally charged Jonathan and ordered him into pretrial detention, a measure usually reserved for violent or serious offenders. According to Open Doors, authorities were believed to be targeting the family because they led an unregistered evangelical church which had previously been labelled “ideologically dangerous”.

Jonathan reportedly suffered from dyshidrosis, a skin condition that had previously caused life-threatening infections and required ongoing treatment.

Campaigners said he had been denied medication and missed medical appointments since entering prison, while bedbug infestations had worsened his condition.

The family had reportedly faced years of persecution including detentions, death threats and psychological pressure. Open Doors said around 60 church members had left the congregation following state harassment.

Sofía Díaz, advocacy leader for Open Doors in the region, said: “This case reflects the restrictions on religious freedom and punishment for peaceful protests that Cuban citizens face.”

Cuba ranked 26th on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List for Christian persecution and remained the highest-ranked Latin American country on the list.