The life of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is in grave danger.

Let us demand proof that he is still alive and an end to repression.

Open Letter To:

Pope Francis, António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, President Joe Biden and all other representatives of the current U.S. administration, Josep Borrell and all other representatives of the European Commission, The European Parliament, The U.S. Congress, Leaders and Parliaments of democratic nations, Organizations that defend Human Rights, Bishops, Priests, and Lay Catholics in Cuba, Pastors, Churches, and faithful Evangelicals, The Peaceful Opposition, Independent Civil Society, and the People of Cuba.

All People of Good Faith:

In Havana, in the early morning hours of May 2nd, 2021, repressive forces of Cuba’s one and only ruling party kidnapped young dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, leader of the Movimiento San Isidro. He has been carrying out a hunger and thirst strike as a protest against the constant and increasing violations of his basic rights, and the increased repression and police cordons against oppositionists, artists, and independent journalists. According to official sources, he is being held at the “General Calixto García” University Hospital: what has been confirmed is that he shows “no signs of malnutrition’ or any abnormal clinical vital signs.” The Castro-Communist regime and its communications media lie about and maligns Cuba’s peaceful opposition in each and every pronouncement it makes. How can we believe it now?

What is definitely true is that Otero Alcántara’s life is in grave danger not only due to the risks involved in carrying out a prolonged hunger and thirst strike, but also because of the monumental hate the regime professes against anyone who defend human rights and dares to challenge it it, non-violently, with strength and courage.  Let us recall what happened to Orlando Zapata Tamayo in 2010 and Wilman Villar Mendoza in 2012.  Both died in medical facilities while on hunger strikes after having endured cruel and inhumane treatment, and unsanitary conditions in island prisons.  Let us not forget the dubious circumstances surrounding the deaths of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas and Laura Pollán Toledo, among other cases we could mention.

Those of us who duly respect and value all human lives, defend people’s basic freedoms and rights, and love liberty and justice cannot be silent or look the other way in the face of the serious and flagrant human rights violations being perpetrated by the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel, the current First Secretary of the Communist Party and “President” of the Republic of Cuba.

It is everyone’s obligation to save the life of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara!