Cuban Artist Luis Manuel Otero Expected in USA on Saturday
The political prisoner spent five years in prison for his critical artwork.
Press Release
HAVANA TIMES – After serving his full five-year sentence of unjust imprisonment in Cuba, and after being held for several days by State Security, artist and prisoner of conscience Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has finally been released in exchange for his immediate departure from Cuba and is currently on a flight bound for Miami. His departure and transfer to the United States were made possible through humanitarian parole, a path that emerged as the only option available at this time to protect his well-being and allow him to reclaim the time that was taken from him.
During his time at the Guanajay maximum-security prison, Luis Manuel endured an environment in which he was deprived of his freedom for political reasons, prevented from fully developing his artistic work, and separated from the people he loves. His imprisonment also sought to silence his leadership as a political activist, once again exposing the repressive nature of the Castro regime.
Today, he arrives with a profound desire to live again, resume his creative projects, and continue working for the freedom of Cuba.
Upon arriving in Miami, Luis Manuel’s first wish is to visit the Ermita de la Caridad (Cuba’s beloved patron saint) to leave an offering of thanksgiving. The artist is bringing with him from Cuba a broken statue of the Virgin. Broken, like so many of us. Like Cuba itself. It is a gesture that invites us to gather the fragments, to put back together what has been broken, and to believe that it is still possible to heal and reclaim a country that has been held captive.
We invite members of the media and everyone who wishes to accompany him to attend this event.
Date: July 18, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. (EDT)
Location: Ermita de la Caridad, 3609 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33133
To arrange interviews or request updates regarding his arrival, please contact the following:
Press Contacts:
Anamely Ramos: +1 (305) 498-8735 | anamelyramosg@gmail.com
Camila Lobón: +1 (786) 690-4194 | camilalobon11@gmail.com
Katherine Bisquet: +34 634 67 03 63 (WhatsApp) | elrobotdehierro@gmail.com
Salomé García Bacallao: +1 (954) 868-8635 | canciondelaire@gmail.com
Yanelys Núñez Leyva (Madrid): +34 722 33 99 38 (WhatsApp) | yanelisnu@gmail.com