Roberto Nodarse Rodríguez, a 33-year-old Cuban man, has been transferred to 1580 Prison in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana. Nodarse was accused of currency trafficking after the Department of Technical Investigations (DTI) confiscated a car that didn't belong to him and seized $12,200 USD and €3,000. Nodarse had spent nearly two weeks in the penal ward of La Covadonga Hospital in Havana, where he was admitted with cramps in his extremities.
During his hospital stay, Nodarse underwent blood and urine tests, and although doctors mentioned the possibility of a CT scan, it was never performed. Despite the lack of a clear diagnosis, he was sent back to prison. His family fears for his health, suspecting he may have contracted a bacteria at the hospital, which could be causing the numbness in his arms and legs.
Nodarse's family is distraught, especially since they have a copy of a check showing that most of the money seized was sent by relatives living abroad. Despite this, Nodarse is accused of currency trafficking. The young man was awaiting parole, arranged by Manuel Santiesteban, a Cuban resident in the U.S. who expressed his outrage on Facebook, describing Nodarse as a "great person."
The prosecution is seeking five years in prison for Nodarse, who is currently in pretrial detention without bail, and four years for his nephew, Cristhofer Milán Lorenzo. An undercover DTI agent had asked Milán to exchange €1,000 on the same day their home was raided. Judicial sources in Havana told CiberCuba that while Nodarse will likely serve time, a good lawyer could reduce his sentence to two years in a camp, allowing weekend passes since Cuban law permits such arrangements for sentences under five years.
Nodarse's family is hopeful of a strong defense and has an appointment with a prestigious law firm in Havana. They decided to change lawyers, feeling their previous attorney did not do enough to change Nodarse's precautionary measures. Nodarse has been imprisoned for nearly a year, and his recent transfer followed the doctors' inability to diagnose the cause of his limb cramps.
He was arrested on November 8, 2023, during a major police operation involving multiple locations in Havana. The number of agents involved in the operation stands in stark contrast to the lack of resources allocated to solving violent crimes, such as the unresolved murder of young Maykel Sablón, whose family has received no justice or state support.
During the operation, Nodarse was driving a new Peugeot, which belonged to a friend who had asked Milán to look after it while he was abroad. DTI agent Ulguis Herrero Navarro, allegedly corrupt with a history of fraud, conducted a search at Nodarse's home without a warrant, seizing $12,230 USD, €2,995, 200 Swiss francs, and 210 Canadian dollars. The family claims the agents did not document the seized funds properly and used witnesses from outside the neighborhood, who have since emigrated to the U.S.
Nodarse's family appealed the pretrial detention (claim 85/24) after he was charged with engaging in illegal currency and precious stones trafficking (preparatory phase file 273/23). According to a letter from the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic accessed by CiberCuba, provisional conclusions were reached in April, and the case was due to be forwarded to the Municipal People's Court for trial proceedings.
The family asserts that the money seized was intended for renovating and stocking a state-assigned café, which Nodarse planned to operate until his parole was granted.
Key Questions About Roberto Nodarse's Case
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the case of Roberto Nodarse, highlighting key aspects and concerns.
Why was Roberto Nodarse detained?
Roberto Nodarse was detained on suspicion of currency trafficking. Authorities seized a car and over $12,200 USD and €3,000 from him, although his family claims the money was sent by relatives abroad.
What health issues is Nodarse facing?
Nodarse has been experiencing cramps in his extremities, and his family fears he may have contracted a bacteria causing numbness in his arms and legs. Despite these concerns, he was transferred back to prison without a clear diagnosis.
What are the potential legal outcomes for Nodarse?
The prosecution is seeking a five-year prison sentence for Nodarse. However, with a good lawyer, his sentence could be reduced to two years in a camp, allowing weekend passes.
What actions are Nodarse's family taking?
Nodarse's family is seeking a stronger legal defense and has scheduled a meeting with a prestigious law firm in Havana. They also appealed the pretrial detention and hope to reduce his sentence.