Cuban State Security reached out to activist Anamely Ramos on Thursday, with Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara on the line, to inquire about the status of the humanitarian parole process being managed for his relocation to the United States, as Ramos disclosed on Facebook.
The call originated from an unidentified number and was on speakerphone, suggesting that agents were actively monitoring the conversation as it unfolded.
"I just spoke with Luis Manuel. He called me from a State Security cellphone, an unknown number, and the call was on speakerphone. They wanted to know the progress of the requested parole process," Ramos noted.
This interaction confirms the regime's keen interest in expediting the artist's departure from Cuba.
Potential Forced Exile
Yanelys Núñez, who is responsible for Otero Alcántara's work, indicated that forced exile remains a potential outcome: "It's a possibility because they don't want Luis on the streets, especially with Havana being so actively mobilized by its citizens."
The artist's team is pursuing an individual humanitarian parole through the I-131 Form with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the sole option since the Trump administration terminated the collective CHNV program for Cubans in March 2025.
Núñez elaborated, "For several weeks, we have been working on a specific parole to provide Luis with an escape route because we know there's no other option for him within Cuba."
Otero Alcántara's Mysterious Whereabouts
During the call, Otero Alcántara could not disclose his location, possibly because he was unaware of it himself, according to Ramos.
This marks the first direct communication from the artist since he was removed from Guanajay prison on Tuesday, July 7, during a significant operation, two days before his five-year sentence officially concluded.
Since that transfer, no one from his inner circle had been able to see or speak with him. On Wednesday, July 8, agents assured his family he would be taken to his home in El Cerro, but that never happened. Ramos emphasized, "Luis Manuel is currently missing. He is not free. He is not released. He is in the hands of State Security."
The Context of Otero Alcántara's Situation
Otero Alcántara's five-year sentence, upheld by the People's Supreme Court in April 2026 after rejecting a habeas corpus appeal from Cubalex, formally ends this Thursday. The regime neither applied reductions for good behavior nor included him in the presidential pardon that same month.
His transfer from Guanajay occurred amid a severe social crisis: power outages lasting up to 87 hours in Havana, shortages of water and gas, and nightly protests with pot-banging. On that day, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz displayed the artist's photograph during an extraordinary General Assembly session, asserting that "his crime was being an artist."
Ramos urged those following the case to refrain from speculation: "We continue asking not to jump ahead of events because speculation does not help maintain accurate information and calm. Luis needs not only our solidarity but also our responsibility."
Frequently Asked Questions about Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's Parole Process
What is the current status of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's parole process?
The parole process for Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is in progress with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as his team seeks an individual humanitarian parole for his relocation to the United States.
Why was the call from Cuban State Security significant?
The call indicates the Cuban regime's active interest in accelerating Otero Alcántara's departure from the country, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny and pressure on the artist.
What challenges is Otero Alcántara facing currently?
Otero Alcántara is currently missing, under the control of State Security, and his exact location remains unknown. His team is working on securing a humanitarian parole as a means of escape.