Political prisoners
The regime maintains that Cuba has “no political prisoners”. The full list is kept by Prisoners Defenders and Justicia 11J. This section highlights cases with documented testimony and records.
Current status: In the Agüica maximum-security prison, Matanzas (September 2026)
Teacher and opposition figure from Matanzas, sentenced to 25 years in the 2003 Black Spring; re-arrested after 11J and sentenced to 9 years. Released in January 2025, he was returned to prison that April.
Current status: In Los Colonos women’s prison, Isla de la Juventud, in an isolation cell (August 2026)
Mother of five, sentenced to 14 years for sabotage, robbery and public disorder after the 11J protests in Güira de Melena; serving her sentence on the Isle of Youth.
Current status: Released and forced into exile in the United States (October 13, 2025)
UNPACU coordinator detained on 11J and held in solitary confinement; forced into exile in the United States in October 2025.
Current status: Released and forced into exile in the United States (July 18, 2026)
In his first interview after his forced exile, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara describes the toll of five years in prison and being separated from his son.
Current status: Released and forced into exile in the United States (July 18, 2026)
Visual artist and San Isidro Movement co-founder, an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience; served his full sentence and was forced into exile in July 2026.
Current status: In Guanajay maximum-security prison, Artemisa; the U.S. granted him humanitarian parole, which Cuba has not allowed him to use (August 2026)
Rapper and co-author of 'Patria y Vida', winner of two Latin Grammys in 2021; arrested on May 18, 2021 and sentenced to 9 years. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience.
Current status: In La Bellotex women’s prison, Matanzas (September 2026)
Co-founder of the Ladies in White in Matanzas, sentenced to 8 years alongside her father, Félix Navarro, after asking about people detained on 11J; imprisoned since April 2022.