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The Cuban singer-songwriter Descemer Bueno announced this Saturday the passing of his mother, Mercedes Martínez, who died in the Dominican Republic in the arms of her son, the artist confirmed in an emotional message posted on Facebook where he dedicated his last words to her.
"My dear Mother, rest in the perfect peace of God, you will always live in my heart, I will always love you," wrote the composer, who thanked God for allowing him to enjoy his mother in the Dominican Republic alongside the family that cared for her.
The passing marks the end of a story of forced separation that lasted more than four years and eight months, directly caused by Descemer's political stance against the Cuban dictatorship.
The musician participated in February 2021 in "Patria y Vida," a song that became an anthem for the opposition to the regime, and since then he has been unable to return to Cuba for safety reasons, which kept him away from his mother as her Alzheimer's progressed.
During that time, Descemer fought from afar to secure medication and family support, and he requested humanitarian parole to the United States for two years without receiving a positive response.
In October 2024, Descemer managed to get his mother out of Cuba and bring her to the Dominican Republic, the only country where they could reunite. Mercedes arrived in a wheelchair, with her illness very advanced and practically unable to open her eyes during the journey.
In January 2025, the artist publicly criticized the U.S. government for denying him that immigration benefit while others were receiving it.
"Many even from Patria o Muerte have managed to reach the U.S. and some of Patria y Vida had to settle for being forgotten. Thank God the Dominican Republic stood up for us Cubans while the first world has turned its back on us," he stated at that moment.
Since their reunion, the composer traveled weekly from Miami to the Dominican Republic to be with his mother, sing to her, and hold her hands.
Although Alzheimer's had taken many memories from him, the bond between them remained intact until the end, he recalled on his part the Facebook page Suena Cubano.
In his farewell message, Descemer also highlighted Mercedes's role as "a Mother full of light and determination" and expressed gratitude for the love from his supporters and fellow Cubans.
The artist, born in Old Havana in 1971 and winner of the 2006 Goya Award for the soundtrack of the film Habana Blues, managed to fulfill what he himself described as one of the most important promises of his life: to embrace his mother again, take care of her, and be by her side until the very last moment.
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