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The independent journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro, director of the media outlet La Hora de Cuba, published a message on Facebook following his release this Monday, after being arrested for the third time in January 2026, along with fellow journalist Alejandra García. Both were detained by State Security and released hours later.
"My third arrest this January 2026 ended last night. I think it's a record that says a lot about how things are in this country: three detentions in 12 days for a journalist who only speaks about freedom, cinema, history, and books," wrote Constantín, who confirmed that both he and García were released.
The journalist stated that the authorities consider him "an existential threat to the Cuban regime" and added, "I am honored by the praise that entails so much 'attention,' so many threats, and everything else." In his message, he expressed gratitude for the support received and highlighted the courage of his colleague Alejandra García, "who once again demonstrated that she is a very special woman."
Constantín closed his post with a message of hope: "I know that more challenges will come, just as freedom for Cuba will also come."
Three arrests in less than two weeks
The new arrest occurred on Monday, January 27, when State Security agents detained Constantín and García in Havana. According to reports from La Hora de Cuba on social media, around 12:40 p.m. García alerted that several agents were in front of the residence where both journalists were, and minutes later, sent a final message informing that they were being arrested. Since then, the outlet has been unable to communicate with them until their release, according to the report released on January 27.
The journalist had previously been detained on January 14 and 20 under different circumstances. The first detention occurred in Havana, where he remained 46 hours incommunicado, without charges or official information, during the funerals of Cuban military personnel who had died in Venezuela. Upon his release, he stated: “I do not intend to leave Cuba. I will continue working here, doing journalism for the freedom of Cuba,” according to his news outlet at that time.
On January 20, he was arrested again in Camagüey, in front of his daughter's house, and released an hour later. According to reports from the team of La Hora de Cuba, the operation took place “without any explanation” and in front of the minor, in an act they described as “psychological violence and public humiliation.”
Five days later, on January 22, the journalist reported another arrest on his Facebook account: “Yesterday I was arrested – for no reason and for the second time in less than six days.” He explained that the officers attempted to have him sign a warning document for “inciting a foreign power to intervene in Cuba” and “offending the memory of Cuban fighters who fell in Venezuela,” charges he rejected. This testimony was included in his post from January 22.
Commitment to journalism and freedom
Constantín, also the regional vice president for Cuba of the Press Freedom Commission of the Inter-American Press Association (SIP), has described on several occasions the internet outages, summons, and arbitrary detentions he faces for his work.
The three arrests that occurred in less than two weeks reflect the pattern of harassment experienced by independent communicators on the island. La Hora de Cuba has held the Cuban state accountable for the physical and psychological integrity of its journalists and has demanded an end to these practices.
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