The Cuban artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has been missing for a week, after being removed from Guanajay prison in Artemisa by State Security agents.
According to updates shared on the Facebook profiles of the political prisoner and activist Anamely Ramos, neither Otero Alcántara's family nor his friends have been able to see him or receive any official information concerning his location.
He was forcibly transferred on July 7th, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM, without any notification given to his relatives.
Despite his five-year sentence—imposed in June 2022 for charges of "insulting national symbols," "contempt," and "public disorder"—formally expiring on July 9, 2026, the regime did not release him or disclose his whereabouts.
On that same day, the artist managed to briefly contact Ramos using a State Security phone, with the conversation on speaker and under direct supervision. He couldn't disclose his location during this call.
Ramos explained that he will remain in this undisclosed location while his individual parole application to travel to the United States is processed, currently the only legal option available for Cubans after the Trump administration canceled the CHNV collective program in March 2025.
The State Security itself inquired actively during the call about the status of this process, which activists interpret as an indication that the regime is attempting to expedite a forced exile.
Legal Actions and International Pressure
In response to the situation, the organization Cubalex filed a habeas corpus petition with the Popular Provincial Court of Artemisa, arguing illegal detention since his sentence had been served.
However, the Popular Provincial Court of Havana was closed on a working Friday, preventing the submission of a new petition.
Cubalex sent the request via email to both the Provincial Court and the Supreme People's Court, although they have documented that official addresses designated for these procedures are inactive or block messages.
"This situation represents yet another violation of the right to access justice and worsens the defenselessness of Luis Manuel, whose whereabouts remain unreported officially," the organization stated.
International Reactions and Concerns
It's important to note that the Supreme People's Court had already rejected a previous habeas corpus on April 7, 2026, claiming that Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was a "social danger."
The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances activated an Urgent Action under file AU No. 2357/2026, at Cubalex's request, setting July 25, 2026, as the deadline for the Cuban state to provide an official report on his whereabouts.
Amnesty International formally denounced the forced disappearance and demanded his immediate and unconditional release. The organization has recognized him as a prisoner of conscience since 2021.
On July 10, Maykel Castillo "Osorbo" was removed from Kilo 8 prison in Pinar del Río without notifying his family, with his whereabouts also unknown, following a similar pattern.
Otero Alcántara had previously been a victim of enforced disappearance in July 2021, noted by the UN under file AU 1208/2021, making the current episode a recurring pattern by the Cuban regime.
"Unless there is direct confirmation that he is free and in a known location, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara remains missing," concludes the joint publication by Ramos and the artist's profile.
Key Questions About Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's Disappearance
What are the charges against Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was sentenced in June 2022 for "insulting national symbols," "contempt," and "public disorder."
Why is his current location unknown?
After being removed from Guanajay prison by State Security agents, no official information about his whereabouts has been provided to his family or friends.
What legal actions have been taken in response to his disappearance?
The organization Cubalex filed a habeas corpus petition, and international entities like the UN and Amnesty International have raised concerns and demanded his release.