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The renowned Cuban drummer Eduardo Longa, a key figure in rock on the Island for over three decades, continues his recovery after having been brutally beaten during a violent assault that occurred a few days ago in Havana.
"I am almost perfect now, you are my cure, I love you...", the artist wrote on his wall on Facebook, alongside a photo showing how the wounds on his face have healed.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, as he was leaving the Submarino Amarillo club in El Vedado. He was intercepted by unknown assailants who brutally beat him to steal his electric motorcycle, cell phone, wallet, bank cards, and even his helmet.
According to the account of friends and relatives, the assault was marked by extreme violence, nearly costing him his life.
"El Longa," as he is known in the Cuban rock scene, suffered multiple traumas: cuts on his head, severe blows to his arms, stitches inside his mouth and nose, and a deviated septum.
"He does not remember if he was hit with a bat or stones. Sad," wrote photojournalist Enrique de la Osa, who reported the incident on social media, accompanied by photos that showed the physical damage.
A campaign to bring back the music
Although his health has improved, Longa urgently needs support to resume his musical activity.
The filmmaker Adrián Monzón (VjCuba) launched a charitable campaign to raise $2,000 USD, aiming to buy Longa a new electric motorcycle (model Topmaq 3000w) and cover some basic expenses while he recovers.
"The only thing Longa wants is to work, create, and produce. No luxuries, no excesses. Just to return to give you the music that we have been enjoying for decades," Monzón wrote on Facebook, appealing to the Cuban community both on and off the Island.
The campaign suggests donations through platforms like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle, and each contributor will receive a special surprise from Longa himself, who "has always given more than he receives," in the words of Monzón.
"Your contribution does not buy a motorcycle. It buys hope. It does not fix a bruised face. It fixes a world where artists should be able to create without fear," states the text accompanying the petition.
A life dedicated to Cuban rock
Eduardo Longa has been a key part of bands such as Deformity, Garage H, Zeus, and more recently Pyra, establishing a legacy within the Cuban underground rock scene.
Unlike commercial musicians, they have persisted in the genre from a place of resistance, as part of an artistic minority that has kept an alternative culture alive for decades, often without institutional support.
"Three days ago, they almost killed him over a motorcycle and a phone. Look at his face in the photo," Monzón laments in his message, denouncing how violence in Cuba threatens even those who are merely trying to earn an honest living.
Insecurity, a growing problem
The case of Longa generated a wave of outrage among musicians, artists, and citizens, who are denouncing the increase in violent thefts in the Cuban capital, amidst a serious economic crisis and an alarming decline in public safety.
"Crime has taken over the streets; Cuba is no longer safe at all," wrote a user on social media, reflecting the general feeling in the face of a relentless wave of crime.
The musician's friends are requesting support with medications, food, healing products, and any type of material assistance that will allow Longa to recover and return to the stage.
Despite the pain and the aftermath, those who know him say that he has not lost his smile or joy, and that he still has an unwavering desire to continue creating music for the Cuban people.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Attack on Musician Eduardo Longa and Insecurity in Cuba
How is Eduardo Longa doing after the violent attack in Havana?
Eduardo Longa, the Cuban drummer, is in the process of recovering after being brutally attacked during an assault in Havana. Despite the severe injuries, his health has significantly improved.
What help does Eduardo Longa need to resume his musical career?
Eduardo Longa needs financial support to acquire a new electric motorcycle and cover some basic expenses while he recovers. A solidarity campaign has been launched to raise $2,000 USD through platforms like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.
What security measures are being taken in Cuba in response to the rise in crime?
The increase in crime and insecurity in Cuba has raised concerns, but no effective measures have been reported by the government to enhance public safety. The population continues to demand more decisive actions.
How has recent violence impacted the Cuban artistic community?
The rising violence in Cuba has created an atmosphere of insecurity that seriously impacts artists, who often face dangerous situations while trying to earn a decent living. The artistic community has expressed its outrage and concern over these events.
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