Havana/Cuban political prisoners Félix Navarro, Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Castillo Osorbo They are among the winners of the 2026 Democracy Awards awarded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The recognition announced this Monday distinguishes people and organizations from different countries for their defense of fundamental freedoms against repressive regimes.
The American organization reported that the winners were designated for defending freedom of religion, expression, press, assembly and petition. Regarding the Cuban opponents, he emphasized their “courage” and noted that “as political prisoners and dissident artists they have challenged the Cuban regime’s control over public expression.” The NED also said they “have inspired greater citizen participation and exposed the fear behind state censorship.”
Felix Navarro He is serving a nine-year prison sentence, accused of “attack, contempt and public disorder” for events related to the massive popular protests of July 11 and 12, 2021. His daughter Saylí Navarro is also in prison, sentenced to eight years, for the same crimes as her father, plus “disobedience.”
Félix Navarro is serving a nine-year prison sentence, accused of “attack, contempt and public disorder”
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántaraleader of the San Isidro Movement, was arrested on July 11, 2021 just before joining the protests on Havana’s Malecón. He was sentenced to five years in prison for the crimes of insulting the symbols of the country, contempt and public disorder, in a trial held behind closed doors. The end of his sentence is scheduled for July 9.
The musician Maykel Castillo Osorbowinner of two Latin Grammy Awards for the song Homeland and Lifewas arrested on May 18, 2021. In June 2022, he was sentenced to nine years in prison. The charges include contempt, public disorder, attack and defamation of institutions, organizations, heroes and martyrs.
About Otero Alcántara and Castillo OsorboOn Tuesday, Amnesty International condemned the Cuban Government for using the penal system as a tool to “punish dissident artists and silence their right to freedom of expression.”
Four years after the sentencing against the artists, the organization stressed that both continue to face the consequences of an arbitrary judicial process that is incompatible with international human rights standards, which “also shows how repression can particularly impact Afro-Cuban people who publicly challenge power.”
The organization stressed that both continue to face the consequences of an arbitrary judicial process.
In addition to the Cuban activists, the National Foundation for Democracy, founded in 1983, recognized this year the German organization Friede Allen for its support of members of the Russian clergy opposed to the war in Ukraine. Also recognized were the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, the Ethiopian newspaper Addis Standard and the pro-democracy community organizers of the so-called Spring Revolution in Burma.
Peter Roskam, NED Board Chair, said, “This year’s honorees embody the courage and perseverance needed to defend those rights in their own communities. Their work reminds us that America’s commitment to freedom is stronger when we support those who keep that promise alive.”
The Democracy Awards ceremony is scheduled for September at Mount Vernon, the historic residence of George Washington, in Virginia, United States. The award consists of a replica of the Goddess of Democracy erected by protesters during the Tiananmen Square protests in China in 1989.
