Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Claims "Genocide" in Cuba: "The Regime Clings to Power"

The renowned Cuban artist and dissident, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who is a prominent figure in the San Isidro Movement, has spoken out following his recent release after spending five years in prison. He has described the situation in Cuba as a "genocide" against its people, citing the humanitarian crisis and the regime's refusal to relinquish power.

In a conversation with Fox News, the former political prisoner emphasized the urgent need for the international community to understand the dire circumstances on the island.

"I believe the world must know that right now in Cuba, there is literally a genocide against the Cuban people because the dictatorship insists on staying in power," he declared.

Widespread Humanitarian Crisis

Otero highlighted the severe shortages of clean water, medicines, electricity, and healthcare services, which he claims disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations.

"Currently, children in Cuba have to drink unsafe water (...). There are many diseases, and many people die daily due to lack of medicine, medical attention, and electricity," he asserted.

The activist attributes this decline to the political system's inability to provide solutions for the populace.

"All this stems from the dictatorship's inefficiency in evolving into a participatory democracy where everyone can contribute to shaping this reality," he stated.

Growing Chorus of Dissent

Otero Alcántara's denunciation joins a chorus of voices that, in recent months, have used similar terms to describe the deteriorating living conditions in Cuba.

Father Alberto Reyes accused the regime of committing a "silent genocide," highlighting deaths caused by lack of medical care and medicines. Meanwhile, the Cuban Conflict Observatory has used the same expression to warn about the crisis's impact on the most vulnerable.

In Matanzas, residents suffering from prolonged blackouts have also labeled their situation as "genocide" due to power cuts, extreme heat, and scarcity of basic services. This language has been adopted by citizens and analysts attempting to articulate the depth of Cuba's crisis.

Narrative of a Nation in Crisis

In recent months, outlets like CiberCuba have documented terms such as "failed state," "dead country," "humanitarian catastrophe," "total abandonment," and "absolute and total misery of a people" to describe a nation bogged down by the collapse of its electrical system, food and medicine shortages, deteriorating healthcare, and mass emigration.

Within this context, Otero Alcántara's statements echo a growing narrative among dissidents, religious figures, and citizens who directly blame the regime for the crisis engulfing the island.

Otero Alcántara was arrested following the anti-government protests on July 11, 2021, and later convicted of disrespecting authorities, public disorder, and desecration of national symbols. During the interview, he recounted his five-year imprisonment under harsh conditions, alleging he endured both psychological and physical torture.

Having recently arrived in the United States, the artist has resumed his public activism to highlight the plight of political prisoners and the ongoing crisis in Cuba.