Independent journalism continues to exist in the country after 65 years of oppression and persecution, despite imprisonments and arbitrary arrests, regular harassment of friends and family members, the expulsion of reporters abroad, and travel bans preventing others from leaving the country. It also survives despite the economic, legal, and labor restrictions imposed by State Security and the limitations on press and expression freedoms imposed by the Constitution, the Penal Code, and several restrictive laws.
In addition to continuous harassment by State Security and constant surveillance by police patrols, independent journalists must contend with the country's dire economic situation: an insufficient basic food basket, collapsed public services (with less than six hours of electricity per day), deplorable health, education, and public safety services, and the absence of social security and retirement policies. Faced with these harsh living conditions and a lack of prospects, most independent journalists abandon the profession shortly after entering it.
Henry Constantín, IAPA's Regional Vice President for Cuba at the Press Freedom Commission, exemplifies how the regime uses various tactics to attack and wear down independent journalism. Since 2017, Constantín has been banned from leaving the country unless to emigrate. The same restriction applies to journalists Camila Acosta, Anay Remón, Niober García Fournier, and Reinaldo Escobar.
During this period, Constantín was arbitrarily detained for simply being in the same city where the regime held a political march and was threatened with repeated arrests. He was interrogated about his work and threatened by State Security officials. On three occasions, Interior Ministry agents were stationed outside his home in Camagüey to prevent him from leaving when President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the city. The ministry also used a former partner against him and threatened his collaborators and family members with travel bans abroad.
Constantín is frequently cut off from internet and cell phone service. Agents identifying themselves as "from G2" bragged about influencing a ban on his access to a Cuban academic institution. An Instagram video he posted about the presence of Russian submarines in Havana Bay was removed after attacks from pro-Russian accounts.
These agents also try to discourage people from associating with his media outlet, La Hora de Cuba, with warnings like "it could go badly for you," "it's not in your best interest," or "you could lose your job." Private business owners have blocked him from accessing services due to fear of reprisals. State Security officials launched defamation campaigns to get him evicted in Havana, and Immigration Department agents treated his elderly mother as a dangerous person when she returned from abroad. On several occasions, the front door of his home was vandalized with feces and oil.
This pattern of harassment—focused on surveillance, isolation, intimidation, repression, discouragement, and destruction of the journalist's personal and professional life—is just one example of what many other journalists suffer.
Several journalists remain imprisoned. Yadiel Hernández Hernández, a contributor to 14ymedio, was recently jailed and still awaits trial after investigating drug issues at a school. Mayelín Rodríguez Prado has been in prison for three years of a 15-year sentence, confirmed last December, for live-streaming on Facebook two girls beaten by Interior Ministry agents during a protest against blackouts in Nuevitas and for broadcasting other scenes from the demonstration. Other reporters are in prison for protesting: Jorge Bello has been imprisoned since July 11, 2021, and José Gabriel Barrenechea for protesting in his town, Encrucijada, in 2024. Meanwhile, reporter Carlos Michel Morales had six months added to his sentence for refusing to work for the State.
Journalists such as Manuel Moreno, Orlidia Barceló, Antonio Suárez, and Mabel Páez, among others from independent outlets like Periodismo de Barrio, El Toque, Cubanet, Amanecer Habanero, El Espirituano, El Majadero de Artemisa, and Páginas Villaclareñas, received police summons due to their work. A surge in surveillance and police harassment occurred between December 10 and 20, when the independent press mobilized for International Human Rights Day and the March of the Fighting People.
The government continues to repress Facebook publications. In January, Félix Daniel Pérez Ruiz and Cristhian de Jesús Peña Aguilera were sentenced to five and four years in prison, respectively, for allegedly spreading "propaganda against the constitutional order." Ana Ibis Tristá Padilla and Jarold Varona Agüero were acquitted in the same case for lack of evidence; however, the Prosecutor's Office appealed the ruling and initiated a new process.
Political prisoner Luis Robles was threatened in prison due to Facebook posts made by his mother. Gustavo Mena's conditional release was denied, and he was sentenced to two years for contempt related to his critical posts. Sulmira Martínez's conviction was upheld for her posts calling on Cubans to protest. Yoel Ricardo Llerena also faces prosecution for his Facebook activity.
YouTubers remain constant targets of attacks and surveillance. Osmel González faced repression after posting videos about the reality faced by the population. Two Peruvian citizens were assaulted and deported by State Security after recording videos in Havana for their YouTube channel.
Street vendor Wilber García Mora and pedicab driver Edgardo Raúl Manso were fined 24,000 and 10,000 pesos in retaliation for appearing in an independent media report. Mirka Ibáñez, mother of political prisoner Yadir Ayala, was threatened by State Security for demanding her son's release.
Activist Yamilka Lafita, known as Lara Croft, and her partner, Daniela Peral, were detained after calling for a protest on social media in front of the U.S. embassy to request a humanitarian visa for a sick child.
Following an agreement between the government and the Catholic Church, several released political prisoners—including Lisdiani Rodríguez Isaac, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, and Arianna López Roque—were threatened with reimprisonment if they posted criticisms or contacted the independent press.
Dissident Virgilio Mantilla Arango, held at Kilo 7 prison in Camagüey, was charged with a new criminal case for his statements from behind bars.
Other authoritarian regimes also persecute independent Cuban journalists. José Luis Tan and Enrique Díaz were stranded in third countries during their transit to Nicaragua, where they intended to emigrate to the United States.
