Cuban activist Anamely Ramos González has once again raised her voice to highlight the dire situation of over 700 political prisoners who remain behind bars in Cuba, according to human rights organizations. In a video shared on social media, the art professor described the country’s prisons as "death traps," citing ongoing human rights violations, including deaths due to a lack of medical care, mistreatment, prolonged isolation, and arbitrary transfers.
“I speak up because Cuba still holds 700 political prisoners. Cuban prisons have turned into death traps where, every week, we mourn someone who has died or been denied medical assistance,” Ramos González stated in the video.
She also criticized the recent partial release process carried out by the regime, labeling it a "sham" that left many innocent individuals languishing in cells. Their only "crime" was raising their voices against injustices and protesting the lack of rights and freedoms under the dictatorship.
The Illusion of Release
In early March, the Cuban regime announced a series of releases under unclear criteria. However, independent investigations — such as those by Prisoners Defenders and other independent media — revealed it to be a selective and limited process, with most prisoners of conscience still confined.
“Many of these prisoners spent sleepless nights waiting to be called, thinking the sound of the bars was the sound of freedom,” Ramos González lamented. She highlighted the psychological impact on inmates, mentioning Duannis Dabel León Taboada, a prisoner who became so depressed after not being released that he refused to speak with his family for days.
Silent Suffering of Mothers
Ramos González also focused on the mothers of prisoners, women who not only endure separation from their children but also face harassment from the state’s repressive apparatus. She emphasized the plight of imprisoned Cuban mothers who have been punished for their protests, such as Lisandra Góngora, a mother of five — three of them minors — incarcerated and moved over 300 kilometers from her home, making regular visits from her children nearly impossible.
“I speak for the mothers, elderly grandmothers, and little sisters waiting for these prisoners to come home. Yet, they must endure threats from State Security just for being a mother, just for demanding justice,” Ramos González declared, referencing her own experience of forced exile since 2021.
As a graduate of Art History from the University of Havana and former professor at the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) in Havana until her activism led to her expulsion, Ramos González has been a pivotal figure in the international denunciation of the imprisonment of artists and activists on the island. From exile, she continues her fight for human rights and the freedom of Cuban political prisoners.
Voices from Behind Bars: Maykel Osorbo and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara
Leading voices in this struggle from within the prisons are Maykel Castillo Pérez — artistically known as Maykel Osorbo — and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. Both are activists and artists who founded the Movimiento San Isidro (MSI), jailed since 2021 for participating in peaceful protests and criticizing the Cuban government.
From the maximum-security prison in Pinar del Río, Maykel Osorbo sent a message: “Strength is needed to withstand an ambush…even in tough times, I acted with strength…My enemies ambushed me, but I had strength, to the point of dying, always certain that the Almighty crowned me with great strength.”
Born in Havana in 1983, Maykel is a rapper, activist, and political prisoner. He co-authored “Patria y Vida,” the protest anthem that became a symbol of the July 11, 2021, demonstrations. Arrested in May 2021 and sentenced in 2022 to nine years in prison, he has suffered health issues in jail and faced severe isolation measures.
Otero Alcántara, meanwhile, shared a poetic message through activist Claudia Genlui: “Today, I cannot move my hands, feet, or mouth, but I must do something, something to break my stillness. No one expects anything from another. I must do something, even if no one is waiting and no one accompanies me.”
Internationally recognized for his political art and outspoken opposition to the regime, Otero Alcántara was detained after announcing his participation in the 11J protests. Since then, he has been held in a maximum-security prison. Amnesty International has declared him a prisoner of conscience, and his health has deteriorated due to hunger strikes and isolation conditions.
Protest in Miami and Global Call
Ramos González encouraged participation in the protest held this Friday in Miami’s Little Havana, part of an international campaign for the freedom of all Cuban political prisoners. This action is part of a global wave of demonstrations aimed at highlighting the repression in Cuba and demanding justice.
“We must understand that if we don’t reclaim our country, this process of uprooting, insecurity, and precariousness will not end,” Ramos warned. “When I think of the word ‘Homeland,’ I think of the faces of those young people, and I also think of the word ‘Mother.’”
The Incarcerated Youth: A Homeland Without a Future
Organizations like Prisoners Defenders have warned that a significant portion of political prisoners are young people under 30. Many were arrested following the 11J protests, where thousands of Cubans took to the streets demanding freedom and better living conditions. The authorities responded with repression, harsh sentences, and arbitrary detentions.
“Prison in Cuba today is a tool of political control and punishment. The systematic incarceration of young people, artists, and activists aims to instill fear and eliminate dissent,” analysts consulted by CiberCuba warn.
A Call to Action
Anamely Ramos González’s denunciation is not only an exposure of injustices but also a call for collective action from the diaspora and international civil society. In her words: “I do not intend to save myself. I only know that I must do something.”
In a country where the word “Freedom” has been criminalized, these messages resonate powerfully among those who believe that Cuba’s future depends on the freedom of its political prisoners and the rebuilding of a homeland without repression or exile.
Frequently Asked Questions about Political Prisoners in Cuba
Who is Anamely Ramos González?
Anamely Ramos González is a Cuban activist and former art professor who has been a vocal critic of the Cuban regime. She is known for her efforts to highlight human rights abuses and advocate for the freedom of political prisoners in Cuba.
What is the current situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
According to human rights organizations, over 700 political prisoners remain incarcerated in Cuba. These prisoners face severe human rights violations, including lack of medical care, mistreatment, prolonged isolation, and arbitrary transfers.
What actions are being taken to support Cuban political prisoners?
International campaigns and protests, such as those in Miami’s Little Havana, are being organized to draw attention to the plight of Cuban political prisoners and demand their release.