SAN LUIS POTOSÍ, Mexico.- The Cuban artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcantarawho was on a hunger strike for more than ten days in the maximum security prison of Guanajay, is systematically threatened by the regime’s repressors.
With extremely good health weakened and constantly harassed and abused, Florida Senator Marco Rubio blamed the Cuban regime for what happens to the artist’s life.
“The criminal dictatorship of Cuba is responsible for the physical integrity of Luis Manuel Otero,” the politician wrote on the social network X.
In her post, she shared a video broadcast by professor and activist Anamely Ramos, in which she denounced the circumstances of the political prisoner.
“He is in a situation of survival. They are making his life very difficult in prison. They are making his life impossible,” Ramos said in his video.
The opposition leader explained that they fear for Otero’s life and for what the dictatorship could do to him. From exile, they have undertaken a struggle to try to get him out of the country and free him, since they must save his life.
Previously, Otero spoke by telephone with the also activist and art curator exiled in Madrid, Yanelys Núñez, and told her that if “everything went bad again” she would go on another hunger strike.
The recent strike of more than ten days has generated concern among those close to him.
The leader of the San Isidro Movement was incommunicado for 20 days.
According to Núñez, the artist is in the process of recovery, although the full effects of the strike the status of his health is still unknown.
“It makes us extremely sad to know this in this context of perpetual risk and helplessness,” said the activist. During the protest, Otero Alcántara urinated blood, which has increased concern for his physical and mental well-being.
Núñez concluded his complaint by reiterating Otero Alcántara’s determination: “Luis continues to appeal to peaceful protest as a way of demanding his freedom. His body and mind, deteriorated by three years of unjust imprisonment, place him in this state of desperation and resistance.” And he assured: “We will continue to demand his freedom and that of the rest of the Cuban political prisoners.”
The opposition leader was sentenced in June 2022 to five years in prison for the alleged crimes of “insulting the symbols of the homeland”, “contempt” and “public disorder”. Since his imprisonment, his figure has been the subject of international recognition. In 2021, the prestigious American magazine Time chose him as one of the most influential people of the year, and in 2022, he was awarded the Prince Claus Impact Awardawarded by the Dutch fund of the same name, in recognition of his artistic work and his courage.
Follow our channel WhatsApp. Receive the information from CubaNet on your cell phone through Telegram.
