On Wednesday, marking Cuba's Independence Day, Republican Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart shared a compelling video message on his X account. He declared that "Cuba is neither independent nor free" and demanded the release of all political prisoners currently held by the regime.
The Florida legislator highlighted the plight of "hundreds and hundreds of political prisoners suffering in the jails of that dictatorship" and pledged that from the United States, "we will continue fighting alongside the brave Cuban people" until "freedom, democracy, and sovereignty return to Cuba."
Recognizing the Courage of Imprisoned Activists
Díaz-Balart named three prisoners he referred to as "heroes": Maykel Osorbo and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara of the San Isidro Movement, and 16-year-old Jonathan David Muir Burgos. According to the congressman, their only crime is "peacefully fighting" and "demanding the freedom and sovereignty of the Cuban people."
Maykel Osorbo, co-author of the song "Patria y Vida," was arrested in May 2021 and sentenced to nine years in prison. In January 2026, he was transferred to the maximum-security Kilo 8 prison in Pinar del Río.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, the founder of the San Isidro Movement, was detained during the 11J protests in 2021 and sentenced to five years. He is currently held in the Guanajay prison in Artemisa, with his sentence expected to end in July 2026.
Continued Advocacy for Young Activists
Jonathan David Muir Burgos was arrested on March 16, 2026, in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, during protests against power outages. He was accused of "sabotage" and is confined in the maximum-security Canaleta prison. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted him precautionary measures in April 2026, recognizing that his rights to life, personal integrity, and health are at risk of irreparable harm.
Díaz-Balart has repeatedly called for the minor's release since late April, warning that if anything happens to him, "the Castro regime will be responsible."
Coordinated Political Actions Against the Regime
The congressman's message was part of a series of coordinated political actions against the regime on May 20. On the same day, four Cuban-American congressmen demanded that Raúl Castro be formally charged for the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes, and the Department of Justice announced such federal criminal charges in Miami.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a video in Spanish offering, on behalf of President Trump, a "new relationship" with Cuba and $100 million in humanitarian aid, provided it is not distributed by GAESA, the regime's military-business conglomerate.
According to the organization Prisoners Defenders, there are over 1,250 documented political prisoners in Cuba as of May 2026. "We do not forget them. Until all political prisoners are free and until freedom, democracy, and sovereignty return to Cuba, we will continue to fight alongside the courageous Cuban people," Díaz-Balart concluded in his message.
Key Questions on Political Prisoners in Cuba
Who are the political prisoners mentioned by Díaz-Balart?
The political prisoners mentioned include Maykel Osorbo, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, and Jonathan David Muir Burgos.
What actions did the U.S. take on May 20 against the Cuban regime?
On May 20, four Cuban-American congressmen demanded formal charges against Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, and the Department of Justice announced such charges in Miami.