Luis Manuel Otero and his family have not been informed about a possible release

The Cuban regime began the release of several political prisoners this Wednesday; however, neither Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, leader of the San Isidro Movement (MSI), nor his family have received any information regarding his possible release.

The account on the social network X, dedicated to the fight for the liberation of the activist and visual artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, reported on the uncertainty surrounding his situation. In a post, they indicated that they have received multiple inquiries about his case.

"In light of the recent release of some protestors from July 11, 2021, amid international negotiations in which Cuban civil society has not participated, media outlets and friends have asked us about Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara," they highlighted in the message.

The publication added that, up to this point, neither the family of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara nor the activist himself have received any information regarding a possible release, despite having communicated with him the day before.

"In these more than 3 years of unjust imprisonment, Otero Alcántara has engaged in six hunger strikes demanding his freedom", they emphasized, highlighting the resilience of the leader of the Movimiento San Isidro in the face of the conditions of his detention and his ongoing struggle for human rights in Cuba.

The message also highlighted the harsh conditions that Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has faced during his incarceration: “He has fallen ill several times, has been denied his right to receive visits, to send his drawings out of prison, and has had to survive in an environment of constant danger.”

Luisma, as his friends call him, “symbolically opened the door to his cell with the work Fe de Vida,” a direct critique of the hypocrisy that he believes the Havana Biennial, along with its supporting institutions, curators, and artists, represents, the publication added.

The message emphasized that Otero has used his art as a form of resistance and inspiration, even from his confinement: “And this is not the only time that Luis, through his work, has rebelled and inspired since he has been in prison; his spirit has long since broken down the walls of Guanajay, where the regime believes it can silence him.”

Finally, they emphasized that, although the leader of the MSI is not included among the 553 political prisoners that the regime has promised to release, his friends and close associates will not be discouraged.

"The battle has always been a different one: to rid ourselves of the Cuban dictatorship. And until we achieve that, we will not stop. Freedom for all Cuban political prisoners!" the message concluded, making it clear that the fight for freedom and human rights in Cuba continues.

Throughout the morning of this Wednesday, the release of the first political prisoners from 11J has begun, as a result of negotiations with the U.S. and with the mediation of the Vatican.

The authorities of the Guamajal prison, located in the province of Villa Clara, announced that the sisters Lisdani and Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, political prisoners from the municipality of Placetas, would be released, as reported to CubaNet by their mother, Bárbara Isaac Rojas.

Another of those released is Rowland Castillo, one of the minors imprisoned in the Toyo neighborhood of the capital, in the municipality of Diez de Octubre.

Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista, a young political prisoner from the 11J protests in Camagüey, was released this Wednesday, her mother, Reyna Luiza Batista Silva, reported on social media.

"It was the first trial held in all of Cuba for the participants of 11J, and now she is the first woman to benefit from the new changes coming," Batista Silva wrote on Facebook alongside a photo with her daughter.

Liván Hernández Sosa was also released, as reported on social media by the platform Cántalo TV, based on a post by Yalianys Carrazana, the wife of the political prisoner.

Donaida Pérez Paseiro was also released, and in a meeting with her neighbors, she declared that she would continue the fight for the freedom of Cuba.

The platform Cubalex reported that so far, 14 political prisoners had been released. They are:

-César Adrián Delgado Correa.
-Dariel Cruz García.
-Donaida Pérez Paseiro.
-Jorge Gabriel Arruebarruena León.
-José Miguel Gómez Mondeja.
-Katia Beirut Rodríguez.
-Liván Hernández Sosa.
-Lisdany Rodríguez Isaac.
-Magdiel Rodríguez García.
-Mailene Noguera Santiesteban.
-Reyna Yacnara Barreto Batista.
-Rogelio Lázaro Domínguez Pérez.
-Yessica Coimbra Noriega.

The organization specified that the two methods currently being used by the Cuban regime to release political prisoners are parole and extrapenal leave.

Frequently Asked Questions about the situation of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and the release of political prisoners in Cuba