LIMA, Peru – Spanish singer Melendi joined the wave of solidarity on social networks with young people linked to the independent audiovisual project El4tico, known as “El cuartico”, after his arrest in the province of Holguín.
The artist shared on his Instagram stories, with more than two million followers, a publication that makes the case visible and demands his release, at a time when concern is growing about the escalation of repression against creators of critical content within the Island.
Melendi shared the hashtag #Freeel4tico in white fonts on a black background in her Instagram stories, a demand that she accompanied with the song “Bread for Yolanda”, where in a duet with Aymée Nuviola, she also sings for the freedom of Cuba.
Since the arrest, hundreds of young people have joined a network campaign to demand the release of the members of El4tico. Even the Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz shared in his Instagram stories a publication by the user “San Memero”, originally published on X, in which is reported the arrest of the two young people.
In parallel, other voices in the Cuban cultural sphere have reacted. They have registered on social networks statements by the singer Haydée Milanés and the comedian Ulises Toirac, in comments that have revolved around freedom of expression and the right to dissent.
The context of the case points to a previous operation reported by Justicia 11J, which reported a raid on the home where the contents of El4tico are produced and the arrest of one of its members, with a lack of immediate information about their whereabouts. The complaint also warned about the risk to other members linked to the project and highlighted the pattern of state pressure against critical digital initiatives.
The case involves young people Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez. The operation included searches and the seizure of work equipment used for the production of audiovisual materials. In this coverage, it has also been pointed out that the relatives tried to obtain information without clear answers and that periods of incommunication were reported, which raised alarm about violations of basic guarantees during detention.
The authorities opened a process with accusations associated with crimes provided for in the Penal Code—among them “propaganda against the constitutional order” and “instigation to commit a crime”—while relatives sought legal representation and appeals were unsuccessfully presented before judicial authorities in Holguín, including a habeas corpus before the Provincial Court of Holguín.
