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The independent journalist and writer Juan González Febles, founder and director of the media outlet Primavera Digital, passed away in Havana at the age of 75, as confirmed this Thursday by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).
González Febles was one of the most prominent figures in independent Cuban journalism, a sector that has been persecuted and censored by the Havana regime for decades.
His work, always critical of the communist system, made him a reference point for those who defended freedom of expression in Cuba.
Before fully dedicating himself to journalism, Febles developed a notable literary career. Author of The Book of Havana (Neo Club Ediciones, 2014), he addressed Cuban reality from the perspectives of marginality and everyday resistance.
For over two decades, González Febles was an uncomfortable voice for the regime, exposing through his digital platform the abuses of power, the repression against activists, and the moral and economic decline of the country.
In 2018, he signed, along with figures such as Berta Soler, Guillermo Fariñas, Antonio Rodiles, and Ángel Moya, a “principled position” against the dynastic succession of the Castro family, following the appointment of Miguel Díaz-Canel as president.
In recent years, he suffered from senile dementia, an illness that caused him to go missing on several occasions, as reported by his wife Ana Torricella in 2022, when she sought public assistance to locate him after a temporary disappearance.
On October 14, 2025, friends of the independent journalist confirmed his passing in Havana.
“Sadly, we mourn the passing of Juan González Febles, director of Primavera Digital. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones,” expressed the journalist Luis Cino Álvarez, a close friend.
Cuba loses one of the men who fiercely defended independent journalism within the country, facing censorship, poverty, and political persecution with dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Legacy of Juan González Febles and Repression in Cuba
Who was Juan González Febles and what role did he play in Cuban journalism?
Juan González Febles was a prominent Cuban independent journalist and writer, founder and director of Primavera Digital, a media outlet critical of the Cuban regime. His work was characterized by denouncing abuses of power and repression in Cuba, becoming a reference point for the defense of freedom of expression in the country.
Why is Juan González Febles considered an uncomfortable figure for the Cuban regime?
González Febles was an uncomfortable figure for the Cuban regime due to his constant criticism of the communist system and his denunciation of political repression. For more than two decades, he used his digital platform to highlight the moral and economic deterioration of the country, which led to him being pursued by the government.
How has censorship and repression affected freedom of expression in Cuba?
Censorship and repression in Cuba have severely limited freedom of expression, impacting independent journalists and activists. The Cuban regime has systematically pursued and censored those who criticize the government, hindering free access to information and the right to open criticism.
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