The Cuban visual artist and rapper, Fernando Almenares Rivera, known by his stage name Nando OBDC, is currently being held at the headquarters of the State Security, Villamarista, in Havana. Reports from his family and independent organizations indicate that his arrest is connected to allegations of involvement in subversive activities and a fire that occurred in Lenin Park on December 30th.
The 35-year-old artist was taken into custody on December 31st at his home in the Havana municipality of La Lisa. According to the initiative Arte Prohibido, led by Nando himself, the arrest was made without prior citation or a judicial warrant. Since then, he has been detained at Villamarista, initially charged with alleged connections to acts of terrorism against the Cuban state.
Eva Rivera, the artist's mother, was able to visit him on Tuesday at the political police facilities. According to Adriana María Machado, the artist's wife, the case's instructor informed the mother that Nando is being linked to the Lenin Park fire, which is being used to justify his extended detention. "Initially, they accused him of having ties with individuals planning terrorist acts, but it seems they are still concocting the charges," Machado told Martí Noticias.
Art Community Outrage
The Cultural Rights Observatory and other independent organizations have condemned the artist's detention. Omara Ruiz Urquiola, coordinator of the observatory, emphasized that Nando OBDC is a prominent figure in Cuba's underground art scene, a movement that faces severe repression from the regime. "He is one of the few representatives of underground art still active on the island, in a context marked by a repressive system aimed at silencing these artistic expressions," Ruiz Urquiola stated.
Through his project Arte Prohibido, Nando OBDC seeks to highlight state censorship and its impact on the most vulnerable communities. His arrest has raised concerns among cultural rights advocates, who demand his immediate release and an end to the crackdown on independent artists in Cuba.
Key Questions About Fernando Almenares Rivera's Detention
What are the charges against Nando OBDC?
Nando OBDC is accused of alleged involvement in subversive activities and a fire that occurred in Lenin Park, with initial charges suggesting links to acts of terrorism against the Cuban state.
What is the response from the artistic community?
The Cultural Rights Observatory and other independent bodies have condemned the detention of Nando OBDC, highlighting the repressive measures against underground art in Cuba.
What is Arte Prohibido?
Arte Prohibido is a project led by Nando OBDC that aims to expose state censorship and its effects on vulnerable communities in Cuba.