The legal advocacy group Cubalex announced on Monday that they successfully filed a habeas corpus petition on behalf of artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, who has been missing since July 7.
The judicial authorities now have a legal obligation to respond within 72 hours, as reported by Cubalex.
"This legal action is being taken in a critical situation of vulnerability," the organization stated, adding, "We at Cubalex demand that due process and the physical well-being of Luis Manuel be respected."
Filing the petition was not without challenges; on Friday, July 10, the Havana Provincial People's Court was inexplicably closed despite it being a workday, preventing the initial filing of the habeas corpus. Additionally, the activist who attempted to submit it was detained for two days.
"The activist who went to file the habeas corpus for Luis Manuel was detained and held for two days," reported Anamely Ramos during a live broadcast on Monday.
Cubalex also attempted to send the request via email to both the Provincial Court and the Supreme People's Court, only to find that the official email addresses were either inactive or blocking messages.
Faced with these obstacles, Ramos called on the foreign diplomatic community in Cuba to assist in delivering the petition, as was done during the artist's trial in 2022.
"The situation in Cuba has deteriorated to the point where diplomatic intervention is needed just to file a habeas corpus. This shows the level of repression and total chaos in the country," Ramos remarked.
The gravity of this legal action cannot be understated. Otero Alcántara's five-year sentence, served at Guanajay prison since 2021, officially ended on July 9, yet the regime did not release him.
Just two days prior, Otero was moved to an undisclosed location without notifying his family, leaving them without official information about his whereabouts since then.
The only known contact occurred on July 9, when Otero Alcántara managed to briefly speak with Ramos from a State Security phone, under supervision and unable to disclose his location.
According to Ramos, agents made it clear that the artist would remain detained while his application for individual parole to leave Cuba for the United States is pending.
"The Cuban state cynically continues to show that silence, imprisonment, or exile are the only options," summarized the activist.
This is not the first habeas corpus petition filed in this case. In March 2026, Cubalex submitted one to the same Artemisa Court, arguing that Otero had completed his sentence early, but it was rejected on March 23 with what the organization called legally flawed reasons.
The Supreme People's Court upheld the artist's imprisonment until July 9, denying any reductions for good behavior on April 7.
International pressure is mounting. The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has initiated an Urgent Action registered as AU No. 2357/2026, with a deadline of July 25 for Cuba to respond.
Amnesty International has officially labeled the case as enforced disappearance and demands the immediate and unconditional release of the artist, whom they have recognized as a prisoner of conscience since 2021.
Key Questions About Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara's Legal Situation
What is the current legal status of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has completed his five-year sentence, but the Cuban authorities have not released him, citing pending parole applications.
What actions has Cubalex taken to assist Otero Alcántara?
Cubalex has filed a habeas corpus petition, attempted email submissions to courts, and called for diplomatic intervention to aid in the legal process.
How has the international community responded to Otero Alcántara's situation?
The international community, including the UN and Amnesty International, has increased pressure on Cuba, demanding accountability and the release of Otero Alcántara.