Eddy Ceballos' Mother Calls for Justice: "This People's Suffering Cannot Be Eternal"

Marieta Pérez Alfaro, mother of the Cuban comedian and content creator Eddy Ceballos—popularly known as "Despingovery"—took to Facebook this past Friday to demand the release of her son. Ceballos has been held for over a month at the high-security Combinado del Este Penitentiary.

Pérez Alfaro's post, accompanied by the hashtag #freeEddy, declared, "Eddy Ceballos, Despingovery, is not alone. He is in the thoughts and voices of every honorable person who witnesses this injustice, both inside and outside of Cuba."

The mother continued, "This people's suffering cannot be eternal, and the sacrifice of these young individuals must not be in vain." Her statement came as Cubanet released a video captioned, "Today it's Eddy Ceballos, but tomorrow it could be anyone."

The Arrest and Its Controversy

Ceballos was taken into custody on June 1, 2026, in the Diez de Octubre municipality of Havana, following a formal accusation by the head of a military unit. The charge stemmed from a video posted on May 24 on his Despingovery Channel, in which he explored an abandoned military site with decaying Soviet-era missiles, radars, and Cold War bunkers.

Pérez Alfaro pointed out that the area lacked perimeter fences or warning signs and had been decommissioned since 2025, with local children often playing there.

Legal Battles and Support

Initial charges of "military property invasion" were dismissed by the legal organization Cubalex and lawyer Alain Santana, who noted that such a charge does not exist in the Cuban Penal Code. The Military Prosecutor's Office subsequently reframed the case under Article 116, Section 3 of the Penal Code: "disclosure of secrets concerning State Security," a crime punishable by 10 to 30 years imprisonment, life in prison, or even the death penalty.

On June 17, Pérez Alfaro reported that her son had been physically assaulted in prison, describing Combinado del Este as "the gateway to hell."

Wider Repercussions

The situation extends to Ceballos' colleagues as well. Cameraman Christian Rodríguez Riverón was transferred on Wednesday to the "El Reloj Club" facility in Boyeros, Havana, facing espionage charges similar to those against Ceballos.

This repressive pattern also affects other digital creators: Andy García Lorenzo, a former political prisoner released in July 2025, was summoned on June 26 by the State Security Crimes Unit in Villa Clara and forced to sign a warning letter, with Ceballos' case cited as an example of potential consequences.

Additionally, creator Anna Bensi was summoned by the police for an "official warning," as part of a broader intimidation campaign against those documenting the country's decline.

As of Friday's end, the Prosecutor's Office had not concluded its investigation or moved the case to a court. Pérez Alfaro remains resolute in her calls for action, stating, "We demand our right to a dignified life and respect for citizen rights."