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The independent Cuban artist Fernando Almenares Rivera, known as Nando Obdc, was imprisoned in a prison for HIV patients in Güines, Mayabeque, Cuba, despite not being HIV positive.
His mother, Eva Rivera, shared with Martí Noticias from Havana her concern about the conditions her son is facing inside the prison.
Rivera recounted that the prison director told her that Fernando "refused to undergo the therapy" administered to HIV patients, to which she responded that, under her responsibility, she would not allow her son to be "injected or to take any kind of therapy" because he "does not have any illness."
The artist's mother advised her son "not to let anyone needle him because they could inoculate him with the virus," the information specifies.
The woman shared that her son suffers from sickle cell disease, a hereditary condition also known as sickle cell anemia or drepanocytosis.
Sickle cell disease destroys red blood cells faster than normal, leading to anemia, pain in the joints and bones, and damage to some organs.
Nando OBDC was in the Combinado del Este prison in Havana before being transferred to Güines.
"In the Combinado del Este, they put Fernando in a cell during the winter, sleeping on the floor with only sheets, which caused him a lot of cold, a lot of fever," he said.
The severe cold, "a product of winter and sleeping on the floor," weakened the inmate's defenses, leading to suspicion that it could be a case of HIV, he explained.
Nando Obdc, remains imprisoned since the end of last year, despite not being among the alleged perpetrators of the crime for which he was arrested.
"On August 19, Gaceta De Cuba published a Request outlining the events leading to the imprisonment of the artist and activist Fernando Almenares Rivera (NandoOBDC) on December 31, 2024," reads a tweet from the account of the Mesa de Diálogo de la Juventud Cubana, which details the case of the dissenting artist.
In the indictment, "the alleged culprits are mentioned and it requires the presence of additional individuals beyond those they identify as supposed accomplices," they explain.
“This official document prompts us to ask the same questions we've been asking from the beginning: Why is Nando imprisoned if he has committed no crime? How can a Cuban flag be considered incriminating evidence?”
The organization wonders, "Could it be that the true reason for Nando's imprisonment is related to the social denouncements he made on social media? Was it due to the impact his reports of young people using drugs openly in the streets were having?"
"Despite this publication from the Gaceta de Cuba once again confirming the artist's innocence, Nando OBDC remains imprisoned purely due to the arbitrariness of the Cuban regime. There is no accusation against Nando OBDC. There is no evidence that could incriminate him," they conclude.
The 35-year-old artist was arrested on December 31, 2024, 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 judicial order.
According to reports from his family and independent organizations, his detention is related to accusations of alleged ties to subversive activities and a fire that occurred in Lenin Park on December 30.
At the end of July, Nando Obdc went on a hunger strike while being held incommunicado in a prison in Güines, Mayabeque province.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Imprisonment of Cuban Artist Nando Obdc
Why was Nando Obdc imprisoned in Cuba?
Nando Obdc was imprisoned without a clear charge or incriminating evidence. He is linked to subversive activities and a fire in Lenin Park, but his detention appears to be motivated by his social denunciations against the Cuban regime. Despite being incarcerated since December 2024, he is not listed among those guilty of the crime he is accused of, according to the Gaceta de Cuba.
Why is Nando Obdc in a prison for HIV patients if he is not HIV positive?
Nando Obdc is in a prison for HIV patients in Güines, Cuba, despite not having the virus. His mother has expressed her concern and denied that her son needs the HIV therapy they are trying to administer to him. There are suspicions that his placement in this prison could be another repressive measure by the Cuban regime.
What is Nando Obdc's health status in prison?
Nando Obdc is facing health issues in prison due to his sickle cell condition, a hereditary disease that destroys red blood cells. The conditions of his incarceration, such as sleeping on the floor, have worsened his health, causing colds and fever. Additionally, he has been on a hunger strike, which raises further concerns among his family and activists about his physical condition.
Has Nando Obdc's family been allowed to visit him or communicate with him?
Nando Obdc's mother has been unable to visit or communicate with him. The authorities have blocked visits and have not provided clear explanations about his situation, keeping him isolated. This lack of communication is a constant concern for his family and for activists who demand his release.
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