Cuban boxer Yordenis Ugás took to his social media platform, X, on Tuesday to deliver a powerful message supporting the anonymous political prisoners in Cuba. He cautioned that those who focus solely on the well-known detainees—driven by trends or a desire for online recognition—ultimately harm the cause of all those imprisoned.
In his recent bout on June 6 in Hermosillo, Mexico, Ugás made a conscious decision to highlight the plight of lesser-known prisoners by wearing their names on his fight attire. This act was meant to draw attention to those who suffer most due to their lack of public visibility.
"In my last major fight, I wore the names of political prisoners on my gear, but specifically for the anonymous ones, those who aren't recognized and suffer more," Ugás shared.
The former World Boxing Association welterweight champion clarified that his attire did not feature well-known figures such as Maykel Osorbo or Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. "This is a matter of conviction for me, and there are over a thousand political prisoners. That's why my gear didn't include Maykel or Luis Manuel, some of the more prominent detainees," he explained.
Accompanied by a photograph, Ugás is seen wearing a headband emblazoned with "Patria y Vida" and white shorts with the number 54, displaying names like Ángel Jesús Veliz Marcano, Lirandis Gongora, Amalia Álvarez, Vander Rodríguez Iglesias, Adrián Ojales Mora, Luis Armando Cruz Aguilera, and Franky Báez Alborno, among others.
This message from Ugás comes amid ongoing discussions within the Cuban exile community. In July, the regime released Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara after a five-year sentence, under the condition of permanent exile. His arrival in Miami on July 19 sparked mixed reactions among the Cuban diaspora.
Meanwhile, Maykel Osorbo remained incarcerated and was transferred to a maximum-security prison in mid-July, despite the United States having approved a humanitarian parole for him, which had no immediate impact on his situation.
Ugás addressed those who, upon realizing that some well-known prisoners "are not perfect," attempt to discredit the entire group of detainees. "If you're doing it for trends or likes, and you've only advocated for the well-known, but now you see they aren't perfect and want to undermine all political prisoners, thinking it's over because one or two were released, you're mistaken," he stated firmly.
He was unequivocal in setting boundaries: "No personal differences, mistakes, or disagreements should lead you to discredit political prisoners."
In July, Ugás publicly defended Otero Alcántara after his arrival in Miami, and he concluded his post with a clear message: "The majority of political prisoners are suffering in prison. Any other message is disgraceful and harmful."
According to Prisoners Defenders, there were 1,327 political prisoners in Cuba by the end of July 2026, a record number reported on August 12, reflecting a steady increase throughout the year: 1,214 in February, 1,250 in March, 1,281 in May, and 1,306 in June.
Insights on Cuban Political Prisoners and Advocacy
Why is Yordenis Ugás advocating for anonymous political prisoners?
Yordenis Ugás believes that focusing solely on well-known political prisoners undermines the cause of those who suffer without public recognition. By advocating for the anonymous prisoners, he aims to highlight their plight and ensure they receive attention and support.
What was the significance of the names on Ugás's fight gear?
The names on Ugás's fight gear were of lesser-known political prisoners. This was a deliberate choice to bring visibility to those who are lesser-known and suffer more due to their anonymity.
How has the Cuban regime responded to political prisoners recently?
Recently, the Cuban regime released Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara under the condition of permanent exile. However, Maykel Osorbo remains incarcerated, despite the U.S. granting him humanitarian parole, indicating a complex and ongoing situation.