The Cuban regime's propaganda program, Razones de Cuba, released a brief eight-second video this Saturday labeling artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara as a "mercenary." This comes on the very day he arrived in Miami after being exiled from Cuba.
The regime's spokesperson claims that the U.S. Embassy facilitated the parole of the artist and "personally requests him," concluding with: "This is not exile, but relocation. Not a victim, but a mercenary. Cuba does not negotiate its sovereignty."
It is particularly ironic for the regime to now brand Otero Alcántara as a "mercenary" when, just two days before he was set to complete his full sentence, he was removed from Guanajay prison. His whereabouts were kept secret for 11 days, an act that human rights organizations condemned as a forced disappearance—a state-sponsored abduction.
The Flawed Narrative of Razones de Cuba
The narrative pushed by Razones de Cuba becomes even more farcical when considering the footage of Otero's release, which clearly shows a Ministry of the Interior officer escorting him. This directly contradicts the claim of a "voluntary relocation at Washington's request."
The humanitarian parole was approved on Friday as the only available means to secure his freedom, and Otero arrived in Miami this Saturday on an American Airlines flight from Havana, under diplomatic escort.
The regime imposed the condition of permanent and irreversible exile on his release, barring him from returning to Cuba.
Public Outcry and Criticism
The publication sparked a wave of criticism highlighting the central hypocrisy of the regime's message: they themselves kept Otero in forced disappearance for 11 days prior to his departure.
Iliana Hernández bluntly stated, "Falsely at your request, because they did not release him on July 9; he was kept imprisoned until today."
Amelia Calzadilla pointed out the most glaring contradiction: "And the personal security service with the lieutenant colonel placed in front of him, was that also at Washington's request?"
Leonela Toirac Duran highlighted another inconsistency: "How did they locate him? Because supposedly he was isolated and no one knew where he was. In which prison did they find him then...?"
Mariam Rodríguez summed up the forced exile sentiment: "They have to exile him because he, just by being present, turns Havana upside down. They couldn't be more afraid of just one person."
Yoannis Perez summarized it succinctly in the comments: "With this, Razones de Cuba proves to be a tool for Castro's manipulation."
Background on Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
Otero Alcántara was arrested on July 11, 2021, as he attempted to join the historic 11J protests and was sentenced in June 2022 to five years in prison for "insulting national symbols," "contempt," and "public disorder."
Understanding the Exile of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
Why was Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara exiled from Cuba?
Otero Alcántara was exiled as a condition for his release from prison, with the Cuban regime imposing permanent and irreversible exile, barring him from returning to Cuba.
What accusations did the Cuban regime make against Otero Alcántara?
The regime accused him of being a "mercenary," facilitated by the U.S. Embassy, and denied his status as an exile, calling it a "relocation" instead.
How did the public react to the exile of Otero Alcántara?
The public responded with widespread criticism, pointing out the regime's hypocrisy and inconsistencies in their narrative regarding Otero's forced disappearance and subsequent exile.