After spending over two decades in prison in Cuba for opposing the regime, Laurel Camacho Ricardo emigrated to the United States. Once released, he shared the reasons behind transforming his body into a canvas for peaceful protest, using tattoos to denounce the human rights violations in his homeland.
Journalist Javier Díaz took to Facebook to share the story of this Cuban, who personally endured the horrors and injustices that the dictatorship is capable of committing. Camacho arrived in Marathon, Florida, on March 18 and, months after being released and facing the risk of deportation, declared that this is his way of continuing to protest against the regime.
On his chest, he tattooed the phrase "Patria y Vida," and below it, the Statue of Liberty with the word "Liberty." His right arm bears the phrase "Human Rights," along with the words "Enough" and "Change." Meanwhile, his left arm is emblazoned with "Long Live Democracy." His back features the phrase "Patria y Vida" along with "Down with Communism in Cuba. Enough!"
This Cuban covered his body with these tattoos as an act of rejection to the physical and psychological torture he endured during his 22 years in prison in Cuba. "I imprinted my political opinion on my body as an act of peaceful protest against the violation of the Cuban people's human rights," explained Camacho.
Tattoo Art as Political Protest
Following the July 11, 2021 protests, some individuals chose tattoo art to express their political opinions as a form of protest. In 2020, a Cuban etched a brief but powerful political message on his body: "Cuba Yes, Castros No," as a protest against the government's arbitrariness towards the island's people. That same year, another Cuban tattooed the phrase "Change, 19-10-2020 and Free Cuba" on his chest to show his disagreement with the regime in Havana.
"Communists, now you will have to rip the skin off my chest," wrote Denis Solís González on his Facebook wall, where he shared images of his torso with the engraved words.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Rights Violations in Cuba
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the human rights issues faced by the Cuban people and the ways individuals are protesting against the regime.
What motivated Laurel Camacho Ricardo to use tattoos as a form of protest?
Laurel Camacho Ricardo used tattoos to peacefully protest against the human rights violations he and others faced under the Cuban regime, transforming his body into a canvas for his political opinions.
What are some of the messages tattooed on Camacho's body?
Camacho's tattoos include phrases like "Patria y Vida," "Human Rights," "Liberty," "Enough," "Change," "Long Live Democracy," and "Down with Communism in Cuba. Enough!"
How have other Cubans used tattoos as a form of political protest?
Following the July 11, 2021 protests, other Cubans have used tattoos to express their political opinions, including messages like "Cuba Yes, Castros No" and "Change, 19-10-2020 and Free Cuba."