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The United States Embassy in Cuba publicly reacted this Thursday after it became known that the regime prevented independent journalist Boris González Arenas from leaving the country. He was scheduled to travel to the U.S. to participate in a professional program on artificial intelligence applied to journalism.
In a message posted on its official account on X, the diplomatic mission stated:
"It is hard to understand, but it is not surprising, to learn about the latest maneuver of the repressive Cuban regime to silence independent journalism and freedom of expression. In this case, even someone with Spanish nationality was affected. Incredible."
The statement came after González Arenas reported that at Terminal 3 of José Martí International Airport in Havana, he was informed that he had a "travel restriction," without any formal explanation about the authority that ordered the measure.
The journalist had been invited to participate in the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) 2026, a professional exchange focused on “AI and technology in journalism.”
According to his testimony, the Customs official identified as Ricardo González informed him of the restriction but could not specify who had issued the order. González Arenas attempted to file a complaint at the airport, although he claims it was not officially received.
This is not the first time he has faced a travel ban. Between 2019 and 2024, he had permanent restrictions on traveling outside of Cuba, and previously he was prevented from attending invitations at the British Parliament and participating in electoral processes in Colombia. In 2019, he was also blocked from traveling to Britain and Panama.
The statement from the U.S. Embassy raises the international profile of the case and once again highlights the use of immigration restrictions against journalists and independent activists on the Island, a practice that has been repeatedly denounced as a mechanism of pressure and punishment.
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