Marieta Pérez Alfaro, the mother of Cuban comedian Eddy Ceballos, unveiled a collection of photographs on Monday that capture her son's time as a professional clown. These images, shared over 90 days into his imprisonment in Cuba, were accompanied by a heartfelt message.
"My son no longer laughs, no longer sings, no longer..." Marieta lamented in her Facebook post, where she condemned the "absurd charges" against Ceballos for a crime he didn't commit.
The photos reveal a chapter of Eddy's artistic journey prior to his viral fame with Despingovery Channel, a satirical project that swept social media. In the images, he dons clown attire, complete with a red nose and white helmet, as he performs acrobatics and acts on stage.
"I feel sorrow, but not shame—pride for the man he has become," his mother expressed.
A Celebrated Artistic Legacy
Marieta also sought to highlight her son's extensive artistic career, which began long before his well-known videos critiquing Cuban reality.
"His body of work didn't start with Despingovery Channel. Long before that, he traveled the world, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who saw and laughed with him," she wrote.
Eddy Ceballos, now 38, has dedicated more than half his life to the National Circus of Cuba, performing as a professional clown in over 13 countries. He was also part of the comedy group Pagola la Paga and was connected to the Center for the Promotion of Humor.
Controversy and Detention
With Despingovery Channel, Ceballos achieved new heights of popularity in 2025 through his nature documentary parodies, which humorously highlighted the decay of Cuban streets, buildings, and other infrastructure.
Ceballos was arrested on June 1 after releasing a video shot at an abandoned military site. He faces charges of "revealing state security secrets," as defined in Article 116 of the Cuban Penal Code.
His cameraman, Christian Rodríguez Riverón, is also detained and facing related charges.
In early August, Ceballos sent a letter from prison, refuting the allegations against him.
"I am an artist, not a spy; a comedian who shows the reality visible to all, not a criminal," he stated.
The prosecution rejected a request on August 19 to alter his precautionary measure, keeping Ceballos in provisional detention at Combinado del Este, with no trial date set.
His mother's message concluded with hope that Eddy would one day transform his suffering into laughter once again.
"May the pain he feels today become the foundation of his future work, turning tears into the laughter he knows how to share with everyone, and may love and wisdom remain with him," she expressed.
Understanding Eddy Ceballos' Legal Battle
What are the charges against Eddy Ceballos?
Eddy Ceballos is accused of "revealing state security secrets," a charge under Article 116 of the Cuban Penal Code.
Why was Eddy Ceballos arrested?
He was detained after publishing a video filmed at an abandoned military installation.
What is Despingovery Channel?
Despingovery Channel is a satirical project by Eddy Ceballos that parodies nature documentaries to humorously depict the decline of Cuban infrastructure.