Cuban artist Otero Alcántara suffers after-effects of paralysis
Based on reports published on April 5 by Diario de Cuba and other Cuban independent media news sites, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, wrongfully imprisoned since July 11, 2021 when he was on his way to join a protest in Havana, is suffering from serious health problems.
Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara is suffering from vision problems, sequels of a paralysis he suffered during the time he was on hunger strike in prison, for which he has requested medical attention, but has been denied, art curator Claudia Genlui Hidalgo reported Monday. Via Diario de Cuba
Democratic Spaces stands in solidarity with Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. On March 24, 2022 our NGO as a result of an active collaboration with Leo Housakos and his team included his name in a speech delivered in the Senate of Canada, following the presentation a motion denouncing the illegitimacy of the Cuban regime. In his speech Senator Housakos called for the release of Luis Manuel Otero and all Cuban political prisoners.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a contemporary Cuban artist and a human rights leader. In 2021 he was recognized as one of Time 100 most influential people in the world. Since 2016 he has led a crusade for the right oft he people of Cuba to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. In that year he founded along with art curator Yanelys Nuñez the Museum of Dissidence & in 2018 he was one of the founders of the San Isidro Movement.
Luis Manuel Otero uses art as a means to to spread democratic values and ideas.
The creation of the Museum of Dissidence and the San Isidro Movement.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara recorded this video to be presented in a meeting with Global Affairs Canada on January 20, 2021. It is a message to Canada.
Original article published Diario de Cuba. English translation by Democratic Spaces.
Cuban artist Otero Alcántara suffers after-effects of paralysis and is without medical attention in prison.
Activist Claudia Genlui says the artist is very thin, is trying to recover after hunger strike, but has vision problems.
DDC 05 Apr 2022 - 10:33 CEST
Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara is suffering from vision problems, sequels of a paralysis he suffered during the time he was on hunger strike in prison, for which he has requested medical attention, but has been denied, art curator Claudia Genlui Hidalgo reported Monday.
"Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara had a visit on Friday, April 1, at the maximum security prison of Guanajay, where he has been held since last July 11. His family was able to see him for the first time in more than two months without having physical contact with him," Genlui Hidalgo said in a publication on his Facebook profile.
He said that the leader of the San Isidro Movement (MSI) "is very thin, although at the moment he is trying to recover his physical constitution by putting his greatest effort in exercising and trying, as far as possible, to feed himself."
"Luis told his family that during the time he was on strike he suffered paralysis and had to be transferred urgently to a hospital (so the rumors were true). As a sequel he still has difficulties with his eyesight: he constantly sees a black spot in one of his eyes", the young woman added.
According to what the opponent told his relatives, he has repeatedly asked for medical assistance and has not been granted.
"Both Luis and his family are really alarmed and worried about his vision. In addition, his hemoglobin is low and the dermatitis on his skin remains. He is not allowed to go out in the sun or have any contact with other prisoners. He has called back twice during the week. From there he tries to convey strength to us," Genlui Hidlago said.
"The circumstances are terrible. His situation has worsened and he remains at constant risk, as well as his quality of life has been affected. Let's remember that Luis Manuel is an artist whom the Cuban government is trying to discredit and is keeping in prison on charges that have been built on ignorance and censorship of art," the curator said.
"Luis is innocent and will not rest until he is released, taken home, accompanied by his family, which is where he belongs. His lawyer is still unaware of the prosecutor's request for his case. All the 'laws' are being violated, he is a victim of the cruelest police arbitrariness", he denounced.
"Despite the circumstances, Luis Manuel continues to create. His ability to hold on to art as a way to survive and resist is admirable. Luis is not alone. He knows it and is willing to continue the fight for Cuba's freedom from every stage," Genlui Hidalgo concluded.
Otero Alcantara was imprisoned after he took to the streets on July 11, 2021 to join the peaceful protests that shook half a hundred cities in Cuba. Although dozens of Cubans imprisoned during and after the demonstrations have already been tried, he remains held without a trial date.
Dozens of artists and intellectuals from around the world have called for the artist's release. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also joined in this request.