Luis Manuel Otero Will Sue the Cuban Government

This once again shows the nature of a regime that has no respect for art, beauty, artists’ sensitivity. that shows no respect for the work of artists and people in the cultural field. This can only be compared with the actions of fascists.

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara on the arbitrary and illegal removal and destruction of his artwork by State Security thugs on April 16, 2021

Democratic Spaces condemns the arbitrary and violent arrests of artists Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Afrik Reyna on April 16, 2021. Otero´s artwork that comprised art pieces called ¨Candies Without Saliva,¨ an exhibit focusing on childhood poverty in his neighbourhood were removed by State Security thugs and tore to pieces. As a consequence Otero announced his intention to become the first artist to sue the Cuban regime for $500,000 over damages to his art pieces. In a recent article titled, “How Much is a Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara Worth?,” the artist told Cubanet that the pieces in this collection had already been sold to a collector at prices ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 dollars.

For Luis Manuel Otero, the violent deployment of n army of State Security thugs, police (PNR) to Damas streetcar reminiscent of the workings of a “fascist” regime.

According to a report from the NGO Cubalex, from April 15 to 18 and coinciding with the holding of the 8th Communist Party Congres, there were approximately 78 repressive actions reported against human rights activists, dissident artists, independent journalists and members of the opposition in Cuba.

From April 15 to 18, the Cuban dictatorship intensified repression against dissident voices. Coinciding with the holding of the Communist Party Congress, the regime led a nation wide repression against artists, independent journalists and members of the opposition. The NGO Cubalex in its report titled “What happened to civil society in Cuba during the celebration of the 8th Communist Party Congress?” reported approximately 78 repressive actions against democracy defenders. These range from short term arbitrary arrests for political reasons, forced house arrests, police besieges, beatings, intimidation, fines, harassment, threats, denial of internet access to dissidents and other repressive measures. In Santiago de Cuba, the police besiege against José Daniel Ferrer, leader of the the Patriotic Union of Cuba has been partially extended while in Habana, Luis Manuel Otero has been the victim of an irrational and extreme police besiege for the past 20 days.