Marking the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021 protests, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba released a video on X demanding the immediate release of all Cuban political prisoners. The video prominently features the recitation of numerous names of vulnerable detainees.
"Five long years have passed, and we continue to press for the release of all those unjustly imprisoned for merely exercising their fundamental right to express themselves, as they did on July 11, 2021. This includes those who remain in custody despite having served their sentences, like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara," the diplomatic mission emphasized in its statement.
Urgent Concerns for Otero Alcántara
The case of Otero Alcántara is particularly urgent. The artist and leader of the San Isidro Movement was taken from Guanajay prison on July 7 by State Security without notifying his family. Although his five-year sentence formally ended on July 9, he remains under state custody at an undisclosed location in Havana.
Amnesty International has condemned his situation as a forced disappearance, calling for his immediate and unconditional release. Activist Anamely Ramos managed to have a brief phone call with him on July 9, during which he confirmed he is alive but held in an unknown location by the state.
Impact of the Embassy's Video
The U.S. Embassy's video, lasting over six minutes, lists many names of Cubans detained for their participation in the protests. "These names and hundreds of others all have families—brothers, sisters, children, mothers, grandmothers, uncles, and aunts—who have suffered and continue to suffer," the video concludes.
Escalating Repression in Cuba
This anniversary occurs amid an unprecedented crackdown. According to a report by Prisoners Defenders published this Friday, Cuba reached a record 1,306 political prisoners by the end of June 2026, the highest number documented by the organization. Of these, 820 remain physically incarcerated, 40 are minors, and 458 have severe medical conditions.
From July 2021 to June 2026, 2,112 individuals have been jailed in Cuba for political reasons. A mass pardon announced by the regime on April 2, 2026, which freed 2,010 prisoners, explicitly excluded those convicted for the 11J protests, who were charged with "crimes against authority."
Notable Cases and International Recognition
One of the most severe cases involves Félix Navarro, a 72-year-old recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, who suffered a brutal beating in Agüica prison in April 2026. His daughter, Saylí Navarro, is serving an eight-year sentence in Matanzas and faced disciplinary actions after denouncing the attack on her father.
Both Félix and Saylí Navarro, along with rapper Maykel Osorbo, were honored with the 2026 Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the United States.
On February 14, 2026, Luis Miguel Oña Jiménez, a 27-year-old political prisoner from the 11J protests with HIV/AIDS, died days after being released in a terminal state. He had suffered a cerebral ischemia without receiving adequate medical care while imprisoned. "His death occurred in prison, under state custody," Prisoners Defenders reported.
The July 11, 2021 protests were the largest demonstrations against the regime in over six decades, occurring in 82 locations across Cuba and resulting in the detention of more than 1,400 individuals in the following days.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Political Prisoners
What was the significance of the 11J protests in Cuba?
The 11J protests on July 11, 2021, were significant as they represented the largest public demonstrations against the Cuban regime in over 60 years, spanning 82 locations and leading to more than 1,400 arrests.
Who is Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is an artist and leader of the San Isidro Movement who has been unjustly detained for his role in the 11J protests, despite having completed his prison sentence.
What actions has Amnesty International taken regarding Cuban political prisoners?
Amnesty International has condemned the forced disappearances and unjust detentions of political prisoners in Cuba, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.