Cuban rapper Andrés Matos Alcántara, known as Matos MC K-LIBRE, was transferred to Valle Grande prison on Saturday under precautionary measures, as reported by the Cultural Rights Observatory based on information from his family.
Authorities accuse him of public disorder, claiming he led the protests and pot-banging demonstrations that erupted in the Barbosa area of Havana's Playa municipality on the night of June 18 and 19, following power outages that lasted over 30 continuous hours.
Matos MC K-LIBRE was apprehended on June 25 after responding to a police summons at the Siboney unit in Playa, without any formal arrest warrant.
His wife, Ariacna Garcés Gómez, criticized the legal process, stating, "No arrest or search warrant was presented. They simply handcuffed him and put him in a patrol car."
Garcés Gómez further explained the regime's main accusation: "They claim Matos is the leader of all the protests and pot-banging here in Barbosa."
The process has been fraught with irregularities from the start: the summons led to detention without legal documentation, and the family received delayed information on the charges and his legal status.
The Cultural Rights Observatory warned that this intentional delay "obstructs access to defense, increases the detainee's vulnerability, and puts the family in a state of forced uncertainty."
Health Concerns and Legal Irregularities
The artist's health condition adds severity to the situation; he suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and type 1 diabetes. Initially, the authorities refused to accept his medications, and his wife was only able to provide him with metformin and a salbutamol inhaler after presenting medical documentation.
"Matos is a sick man. He relies on oxygen during respiratory crises and needs to take metformin daily," Garcés Gómez emphasized.
The NGO Cubalex issued an urgent alert, categorizing the case as a "possible short-term forced disappearance" and filed a complaint with the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances. On June 29, the committee activated Urgent Action case AU No. 2345/2026, giving the Cuban regime until July 14, 2026, to provide a report detailing the detainee's exact location, formal charges, and guarantees of defense access and medical care.
Conditions in Valle Grande Prison
The Valle Grande prison, located in La Lisa municipality, has faced numerous accusations of inhumane conditions: extreme overcrowding, lack of mattresses, infestations, water shortages, and mistreatment of political prisoners.
Matos MC K-LIBRE is a well-known figure in Cuba's underground rap scene, known for his political dissent. As a member of the collective Los Míos 23, his work includes tracks like "Madre," "Temporada de Huracanes," and "Ineptos (Cuba Libre)," which criticize the regime's censorship and repression.
The arrest occurred amid a wave of protests, with 107 demonstrations recorded in June across Cuba, with Havana as the focal point, according to the Cuban Conflict Observatory.
The Cultural Rights Observatory demanded clear information about the artist's legal situation, effective access to defense, communication with family, respect for his physical and psychological integrity, and his immediate release, appealing to UNESCO, the European Union, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Amnesty International.
Key Questions on Matos MC K-LIBRE's Situation
What are the charges against Matos MC K-LIBRE?
Matos MC K-LIBRE is accused of public disorder for allegedly leading protests and pot-banging demonstrations in the Barbosa area of Havana's Playa municipality.
Why is Matos MC K-LIBRE's health a concern?
His health is concerning because he suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and type 1 diabetes, requiring daily medication and oxygen during respiratory crises.