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The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) condemned the detention of independent journalist Henry Constantin, director of the digital media La Hora de Cuba, who remains under arrest at the State Security Operations unit in Camagüey, known as Villa María Luisa.
The organization, based in Miami, Florida, demanded his immediate and unconditional release, guarantees for his physical integrity, and the cessation of all forms of harassment and censorship against those who exercise the right to freely inform in Cuba.
Constantin, the regional vice president for Cuba of the Press Freedom and Information Commission of the SIP since 2016, was arrested on June 29, accused of contempt, after publishing a complaint against a State Security agent on the page of La Hora de Cuba on May 15.
However, the portal 14ymedio noted that there might be other reasons behind his detention, given the constant harassment from the regime against his journalistic work.
The journalist, who participated in the protests on July 11, 2021, has been the target of arbitrary detentions, surveillance, threats, and restrictions on his communication.
For more than seven years, he has been prohibited from leaving Cuba. His last extended detention was in December 2024, when he spent a week in prison at the El Vivac detention center in Havana.
The president of the Press Freedom and Information Commission of the SIP, Martha Ramos, emphasized that arresting a journalist for carrying out their work undermines fundamental rights and attacks the society’s right to be informed.
For his part, the president of the SIP and CEO of La Prensa Gráfica in El Salvador, José Roberto Dutriz, described the arrest as a "serious violation of human rights" and warned that "reporting is not a crime."
The SIP, made up of over 1,300 media outlets from the continent, recalled that the case of Constantin reflects the systematic harassment policy of the Cuban regime against independent press, a practice that intensifies on dates such as the anniversary of July 11 (11J), when the government escalates repression to stifle any expressions of social discontent.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Henry Constantin and Repression in Cuba
Why was Henry Constantin arrested?
Henry Constantin was arrested on charges of contempt after publishing a complaint against a State Security agent in La Hora de Cuba. However, it is suspected that the true reason is the ongoing harassment by the Cuban regime towards his independent journalistic work.
What is the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) and what was its reaction to Constantin's arrest?
The Inter American Press Society (SIP) is an organization that represents over 1,300 media outlets across the continent, dedicated to the defense of press freedom. The SIP condemned the detention of Constantin and demanded his immediate and unconditional release, emphasizing that arresting a journalist for carrying out their work is a serious violation of human rights.
What is the context of repression against independent journalists in Cuba?
The Cuban regime maintains a policy of systematic harassment against independent press, which includes arbitrary detentions, surveillance, threats, and restrictions on communication. These acts intensify on key dates such as the anniversary of July 11, when the government seeks to suppress any expressions of social discontent.
How does Henry Constantin's arrest affect press freedom in Cuba?
The arrest of Henry Constantin represents a direct attack on press and expression freedom in Cuba. Such actions intimidate other journalists and activists, limiting society's right to be informed and fostering an atmosphere of self-censorship and fear among those who seek to give voice to the Cuban reality.
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