Former U.S. President George W. Bush is set to feature a portrait he personally painted of Cuban artist and activist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara in his forthcoming book.
Titled "The Call of Freedom: Portraits of Political Prisoners and Dissidents," the book compiles 44 oil portraits along with stories of individuals who have faced persecution worldwide due to their political beliefs, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
A Diverse Array of Global Figures
The George W. Bush Presidential Center has confirmed that Otero Alcántara is among those depicted, with images showing the Cuban activist prominently featured on the cover alongside notable figures such as Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, former Czech President Václav Havel, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, and Iranian activist Jina Mahsa Amini.
Book Release and Exhibition
The book will be published by Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House, and will be available starting March 9, 2027. It will be priced at $42 for the hardcover edition and $250 for a signed deluxe edition.
An exhibition of the portraits will coincide with the book's release at the Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. The foreword is penned by writer and former Soviet political prisoner Natan Sharansky.
Recognition of a Cuban Dissident
This acknowledgment comes just two months after Otero Alcántara arrived in Miami on July 18, following a five-year sentence imposed by the Cuban regime. A co-founder of the San Isidro Movement, he was arrested on July 11, 2021, during the largest public protests Cuba had seen in decades. In June 2022, a court sentenced him on charges of contempt, public disorder, and disrespecting national symbols, a verdict upheld by the Supreme Court in April 2026.
Return to Artistic and Public Life
In the days leading up to his official release, State Security removed him from prison without disclosing his whereabouts, sparking international concern and accusations of enforced disappearance. Since his exile, Otero Alcántara has swiftly resumed his artistic and public activities. He showcased works created during his incarceration at Miami's Freedom Tower and was honored by Freedom House in September for his contributions.
Bush, who took up painting after leaving the presidency in 2009, had previously published "Portraits of Courage" in 2017, a book featuring portraits of war veterans. His Presidential Center also curates a collection of testimonies from dissidents worldwide, including Cubans.
The inclusion of Otero Alcántara alongside iconic figures of global resistance marks one of the highest-profile recognitions the Cuban activist has received since his release. It also amplifies his story to a worldwide audience that the book is expected to reach starting in March 2027.
Insights into George W. Bush's Upcoming Book
Who is Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a Cuban artist and activist known for his opposition to the Cuban regime and his involvement with the San Isidro Movement.
When will George W. Bush's book be released?
The book, "The Call of Freedom: Portraits of Political Prisoners and Dissidents," is slated for release on March 9, 2027.
What is the price of the book?
The hardcover edition will be available for $42, while a signed deluxe edition will be priced at $250.