Cuban authorities detain artist Tania Bruguera en route to hurricane relief

Last week, Cuban authorities apprehended artist Tania Bruguera while she was en route from Havana to Baracoa to assist victims of Hurricane Matthew. As reported by Hyperallergic, Bruguera was traveling with biochemist Oscar Casanella when their van was halted due to a purported issue with the rental agreement. During their detention, Casanella allegedly suffered physical assault, while Bruguera endured six hours of questioning by counterintelligence officials. The incident was reported through a Facebook update by Instituto de Artivismo Hannah Arendt, an organization co-founded by Bruguera in Havana, and her sister, Deborah Bruguera. Deborah implied that the detention was a cautionary message against future humanitarian or artistic endeavors in Cuba. Tania Bruguera has faced multiple arrests or detentions over the past two years related to public performances or protests.