Teen remains detained in Guanabacoa as release requires bail of 500,000 pesos
Michel Joel Valdés Machado, 16, was stopped on October 10; his mother says he remains at a police station in Guanabacoa.
Yasmily Machado Duvergel said authorities are demanding bail of 500,000 pesos to release her 16-year-old son, who has been detained in Guanabacoa, Havana, since October 10.
The mother identified the teenager as Michel Joel Valdés Machado and said he was stopped while walking to a tire repair shop near his home. She said he remains at Guanabacoa Police Station No. 14 and that she has not been told what offense he is alleged to have committed.
Machado Duvergel believes the detention is related to her political activism. She also reported shortages of water and electricity and food she described as inadequate.
No formal charge has been publicly reported, and the teenager’s legal situation could not be independently verified.