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The Cuban visual artist and rapper Fernando Almenares Rivera, known as Nando OBDC, remains in custody at the State Security headquarters, Villamarista, in Havana.
According to reports from his family and independent organizations, his detainment is linked to accusations of alleged involvement in subversive activities and a fire that occurred in Parque Lenin on December 30th.
Almenares Rivera, 35 years old, was arrested on December 31 at his home in the Havana municipality of La Lisa. The arrest, as reported by the initiative Arte Prohibido, led by Nando himself, was carried out without prior notice or a court order.
Since then, he has been held in custody at Villamarista, initially accused of alleged ties to acts of terrorism against the Cuban state.
Eva Rivera, mother of the artist, was able to visit him on Tuesday at the facilities of the political police. According to statements from Adriana María Machado, the detainee's wife, the investigator handling the case informed the mother that they are linking Nando to the fire at Lenin Park, which would justify his prolonged detention.
"Initially, he was accused of having connections with individuals planning acts of terrorism, but it seems they are still fabricating the charges," Machado reported in statements to Martí Noticias.
Condemnation from the artistic community
The Observatory for Cultural Rights and other independent organizations have condemned the arrest of the artist.
Omara Ruiz Urquiola, coordinator of the observatory, emphasized that Nando OBDC is a prominent figure in the underground art scene in Cuba, a movement that faces strong repression from the regime.
"It is one of the few representatives of underground art that remains active on the island, in a context marked by a repressive scheme aimed at silencing these artistic expressions," stated Ruiz Urquiola.
Through his project Arte Prohibido, Nando OBDC aims to highlight state censorship and its impact on the most vulnerable communities. His detention has raised concerns among advocates for cultural rights, who are demanding his immediate release and an end to the persecution of independent artists in Cuba.
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