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The Cuban opposition leader the arrest of a 68-year-old tricycle driver in the municipality of San Antonio de los Baños, in the province of Artemisa, allegedly due to a message he displayed on his vehicle.
In his Facebook post, Ferrer wrote: "I am told that Felipe Rodríguez, 68 years old, was detained in San Antonio de los Baños for placing behind the seat of his bicitaxi that it does not carry informants. Only free men. If you know about this case and can provide me with more details and his second surname, I would be very grateful."
The images circulated along with the complaint show a tricycle with a sign placed on the back that reads: “I don’t ride either informers or snitches. Only free men.”
The terms “clarias” and “chivatos” are used in Cuban popular language to derogatorily refer to informants or individuals who collaborate with the authorities.
In a previous social media post, user : “This man in the photo is named Felipe Rodríguez. He is one of those people you meet who brightens your day with his wit and good humor. Yesterday, he was arrested for what he wrote on his tricycle or motorcycle to carry passengers: ‘I don’t take clarias or snitches. Only free men,’” she wrote.
In the same post, he added: “Felipe is a great human being, and it’s not just me saying it; the entire town of #sanantoniodelosbaños knows him and understands what I'm talking about.” He also mentioned a supposed agent involved in the arrest. In the post, he stated: “Ah. Divine surprise, the most despicable guy born from old mares with shaggy red hair arrested him... It wasn’t enough to apprehend him; he had the audacity to threaten him, saying ‘I feel like shooting you right here’.”
In the same message, he added: “Pilili, you are an unpleasant and cowardly being, hitting a defenseless and sick man.”
Later, in another he wrote: “This is not a crime, he owns his vehicle and can give a ride to whoever he likes.”
The reports generated numerous reactions on social media, where several users expressed support for the tricycle driver and demanded his release.
Among the published comments, messages such as: "Freedom for Felipe Rodríguez. Down with injustice. Freedom for Cuba.", "What an example of bravery! My respect" and "The bike is his; he can ride with whomever he wants." were read.
Other comments highlighted that the driver is well-known in his community and expressed solidarity with him. Among them were messages like: “A great human being,” “Great man and friend,” “Tremendous person with a big heart,” and “Man with a big heart, you have my support.” Furthermore, several users insisted that the reported incident does not constitute a crime and reiterated calls for his release.
In the comments on the post, after the user was asked about the identity of the referenced agent or police officer, Odaly H. Rizo responded by sharing a photograph.
So far, the Cuban authorities have not provided any official information regarding the arrest or the situation of the tricycle rider reported on social media.
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