Luis Manuel is no longer in a Cuban prison, but exiled in the United States

Currently, there are over 1,300 identified political prisoners in Cuba according to the Madrid based NGO, Prisoners Defenders.

Over the past five years, Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was one of them.

Unjustly imprisoned, he should not have spent one day in prison, much less the 1,826 days he was arbitrarily detained. Only to be kidnapped by the secret police on July 7, 2026, two days prior to his release, then held incommunicado for 11 days. Only to be forcibly deported.

On July 18, 2026 Luis Manuel was on a plane to Miami, leaving behind his son, family, friends, history and home. He gave his first interview to the major U.S. daily, USA TODAY, three days later. Below is an excerpt from the article and video.

People in Cuba think exile is the solution, “but there’s a new kind of rift here, a new type of state-sponsored violence: people going 30 years without seeing their moms or kids – their mothers die, and they aren’t allowed to come back,” Otero said, sitting on the pool deck of a Miami hotel. 

“You can’t say goodbye… You can’t give them a kiss… And now my son…” Otero dropped his face into his hands and wept.

Amnesty International on July 23rd issued a formal statement regarding the arrival of the Cuban artist and prisoner of conscience to the United States.

“Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara’s arrival in the United States brings an end to years of unjust imprisonment and underscores the harm caused by the Cuban authorities, as well as the state’s responsibility for imprisoning him solely for exercising his human rights. Luis Manuel should never have spent a single day in prison. What he endured will remain a symbol of how the Cuban government has used the criminal justice system to punish art, dissent and freedom of expression,” said Ana Piquer, Amnesty International’s Americas Director.

Ms Piquer added, “While it is a relief that Luis Manuel is free, it is essential to remember that his exile is an extension of the punishment imposed on those who dare to think differently, create freely or denounce human rights violations in Cuba. Everyone must be able to live freely, express themselves and participate in public life without being forced to leave their country.”