A human rights organisation in Cuba is demanding information on the whereabouts of dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who was arrested in 2021 after protesting the government.
State Security agents removed him from Guanajay Prison on Tuesday 7 July. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Cubalex, the organisation operating from outside Cuba which legally advises dissidents and reports human rights violations, has filed a habeas corpus petition to ensure that the artist is not being illegally deprived of his liberty.
“The relevant judicial authorities now have a legal deadline of 72 hours to issue a response. This legal action is being filed amid a critical situation of vulnerability and lack of protection,” wrote Cubalex in a statement posted online.
Alcántara, 38, was arrested on 11 July 2021, as he attempted to join a massive protest against blackouts in the country. In 2022, a court sentenced him to five years in prison for public disorder, contempt and disrespect toward national symbols.
Since the July 2021 protests, the Cuban government has increased its persecution of influencers who criticize their government on social media.
Last week, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walz held up a photo of the artist as he confronted Cuban officials during a debate about the US embargo against Cuba.
Organizations such as Amnesty International have designated Alcántara as a political prisoner. However, the island’s government does not recognize that status.