MEMBERS OF CUBAN BAND PORNO PARA RICARDO DETAINED UPON RETURN TO CUBA

MEMBERS OF CUBAN BAND PORNO PARA RICARDO DETAINED UPON RETURN TO CUBA
BY ALEXANDRA MARTINEZFRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 | 20 HOURS AGO

Gorky Aguila and Lia Villares, members of Cuban rock band Porno Para
Ricardo, were detained Wednesday afternoon for 24 hours upon returning
to Cuba's Jose Marti Airport. The activists were coming back from Miami,
where they performed shows at Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center.

"When they got there, they were stopped, checked, and held in a waiting
area without being able to talk to anyone," says Danilo Maldonado
Machado, an artist known as "El Sexto" and a good friend of the band.

Maldonado immediately took to Facebook and filmed an hourlong live video
of his reaction to the news.

"If anyone knows of where Lia Villares is, let us know," he says, wiping
away tears. "My brothers, if we live through this, let's get rid of
these dogs in power. Free Lia Villares."

Aguila and Villares have since been released, according to Maldonado.

Lia and Gorky's music is known for criticizing and satirizing the Castro
regime without holding anything back. Gorky, the frontman of the group,
was arrested in 2008 in Cuba for "social dangerousness." At the time,
Cuba was in the throes of its "Cuban 5" campaign, hailing five Cuban
spies who infiltrated America as heroes, demanding their immediate
release. On the island, Gorky's ironic arrest garnered national
attention including a New York Times story. He was eventually found
guilty of the lesser charge of "disobedience" and fined $600 pesos,
about six weeks' salary. But that hasn't stopped the band from speaking
its mind. Porno Para Ricardo's 2013 song "El Comandante" directly
chastises the Castros, telling them not to "eat so much dick."

Just last month, the group performed at Maldonado's opening night at
Miami Beach's Market Gallery to a packed crowd. The exhibit showcased
work Maldonado produced while imprisoned in Cuba's Valle Grande for ten
months. Porno Para Ricardo supported Maldonado's liberation campaign
with a song and music video, "Libertad Para Danilo." They performed the
song at the exhibit.

"Danilo's ten months in jail strengthened him. The experience has left
him with the courage and force to keep doing his art," said Lia at the
opening. "This is an important moment for us."

Maldonado is now in Guatemala, where he is completing a large-scale
mural for Universidad Francisco Marroquín. His exhibit at Market Gallery
will remain open until March 19.

This news comes at a critical moment for U.S.-Cuban relations. President
Obama's visit to the island has been delayed for a month, and
negotiations are still being made to avoid dissonance between the two
countries.

We'll update the story as more information becomes available.

Source: Members of Cuban Band Porno Para Ricardo Detained Upon Return to
Cuba | Miami New Times -
http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/members-of-cuban-band-porno-para-ricardo-detained-upon-return-to-cuba-8312460