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The Cuban comedian Ulises Toirac once again expressed his support for the writer and journalist Jorge Fernández Era, who was held for more than 15 hours in detention in Havana after he went out to peacefully protest in the Parque Central.
In a post on , Toirac shared a photograph with Era and wrote a message of admiration and friendship towards him: "I admire his honesty and treasure his friendship," he stated, also recalling their collaboration in the book Locos de Barrio. The comedian described Era as "one of those loyal and consistent guys" and expressed sorrow over his arrest.
Toirac cited Laideliz Herrera Laza, the writer's wife, who had denounced on social media that Fernández Era had not returned from his demonstration on the 18th. “It’s a ritual every 18th. Without breaking anything, without shouting, without urging anyone to join: he goes and sits in Central Park to manifest in favor of political prisoners,” wrote the comedian.
The actor and screenwriter also emphasized that his friend's action is a right protected by the Cuban Constitution and described his detention as arbitrary: “It is necessary for whoever has him to release him. Not only because he needs to review my second book, but because his detention is arbitrary. That goes for him and for anyone who has a political opinion different from that of the government.”
Shortly after Toirac's message, Jorge Fernández Era confirmed his release through a post on Facebook: “I was detained from 3:05 PM to 6:52 AM. I am already at home.” The writer had been arrested while heading to his usual peaceful protest in support of political prisoners.
The case generated multiple expressions of solidarity, including one from journalist Lara Crofs, who reported that the writer was not listed at any police station in Havana. “This is kidnapping. Enough of abuse and mistreatment,” she wrote on social media.
It is not the first time that Ulises Toirac has supported Fernández Era in the face of state repression. In August 2025, the comedian publicly denounced a violent arrest of the writer, who was handcuffed and locked in a cell. He then described him as “brave and stubborn” in front of a power that “does not tolerate dissent, personal opinion, or civic honesty.”
Actions like those of Fernández Era—silently demonstrating on the 18th of each month—have become a symbol of civic engagement against political repression in Cuba.
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