Cuban authorities move or release 11J political prisoners amid international scrutiny

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, a Cuban artist and prisoner of conscience, was transferred from the high‑security Guanajay prison in Artemisa under heavy security on Tuesday, two days before the scheduled end of his five‑year sentence. The destination of his transfer was not disclosed. The removal was reported by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who said she learned of it via a phone call from the prison. During a special United Nations General Assembly session the same day, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted Otero Alcántara, stating, "His crime was being an artist."

Separately, political prisoner Nilo Abrahante Santiago was released on 4 July after completing a five‑year term for his participation in the July 11 2021 protests. The Cuban-American National Foundation warned that his freedom will be accompanied by ongoing surveillance and precarious conditions. While incarcerated, Abrahante Santiago endured a hunger strike in May 2023 to protest severe food shortages, lack of medical care, and inadequate treatment for his health issues, which include epilepsy, gastritis and skin cancer. Both cases underscore continued concerns from human‑rights groups about repression of dissent in Cuba and the potential for further legal manipulation of political detainees.