PANAMA CITY – Grammy-winning artist Roberto Blades, younger brother of famed salsa singer-songwriter and former Panamanian Tourism Minister Ruben Blades, was detained for several hours for allegedly refusing to pay child support.
The Latin Salsa artist was arrested at the Tocumen International Airport after his ex-wife, Ivonne Valdez, reported his failure to pay for the financial care and support of their 13-year-old son.
Valdez had earlier told reporters that if she did not receive a response from Blades she would go to the authorities and seek his arrest.
The singer was taken to a municipal courthouse after being taken into custody, and upon leaving the building told reporters that a “crazy woman” was responsible for everything, local television reported.
Blades reportedly proceeded to travel to Venezuela without offering more statements on the matter.
The singer has not paid child support for eight years and the amount he now owes totals roughly $70,000, Valdez told La Prensa daily Thursday. She added, however, that she is “willing to withdraw the charges,” presumably once she receives the child-support payments, the daily reported.
Roberto Blades has enjoyed most of his success in the United States and in 1981 in Miami formed the group Orquesta Inmensidad, which produced hits such as “Ya no regreso contigo” and “Lagrimas.”
Blades won a Latin Grammy in 2000 for Song of the Year for “Dimelo,” a title written by Blades and performed by Marc Anthony.
He also won a Grammy in 2000 in the Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album category for Gloria Estefan’s “Alma Caribeña,” which he co-produced. In 2001, Blades won a Grammy in the Best Salsa Album category for “Encore,” on that occasion as performing artist. EFE
Source:laht.com
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