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The Cuban regime prevented independent journalist Boris González Arenas from leaving the country this Wednesday, as he had planned to travel to the United States to participate in the Edward R. Murrow project for journalists, focused on "AI and technology in journalism," as part of the IVLP 2026 (International Visitor Leadership Program).
According to Boris on social media, he was denied passage through Customs control at Terminal 3 of José Martí International Airport in Havana due to an alleged "travel restriction."
The official identified as Ricardo González informed him of the restriction, although —according to his testimony— he was unable to specify who had ordered the measure.
“At Terminal 3 of José Martí International Airport, I was prevented from passing through customs (…) I had a travel restriction,” wrote González Arenas.
The journalist filed a complaint at the airport itself, but claims that it was not officially acknowledged and he received no explanation regarding the authority responsible for the blockage.
"I hold no grudges against Ricardo; he was neither kind nor hostile, and as a customs officer, it is his duty to carry his identification and be at the forefront of a complaint in which he is the last guilty party. The next culprits could be men watching from afar (I have no proof of that), but the main ones remain completely invisible, striving to maintain their anonymity and wealth out of the public eye, and to go unnoticed by the disgust of history," he stated.
Additionally, the Cuban journalist explained that he has been permanently prohibited from leaving the country from 2019 to 2024, and that he was also prevented from traveling on several occasions in previous years. He recalled that he was unable to attend invitations to the British Parliament or to electoral processes in Colombia due to similar restrictions.
"They do well to prevent me from traveling; every word of mine would strive to shatter the floor of their filth," he stated.
This is not the first time that Cuban authorities have blocked the journalist's departure. In 2019, he was prevented from traveling to Great Britain and Panama, in both cases when trying to leave through Havana airport.
The new obstacle adds to the migration restrictions facing activists and independent journalists on the Island, amidst a backdrop of increasing reports of violations of freedom of movement and expression.
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