At least nine Cubans, five citizen journalists, two individuals dedicated to fact-checking, and two others interested in participating, have reportedly received threats of imprisonment, dismissal, and repercussions against their family members for collaborating or attempting to collaborate with the independent newsletter Páginas Villareñas, in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, according to a report by the Cuban Observatory of Freedom of Expression (OCLE) from the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP).
The intimidation, attributed to State Security officials, occurred between April and October 2026 and affected not only citizen journalists but also individuals who verified information or had expressed interest in publishing complaints about issues in their communities.
According to the report published by ICLEP on October 31, those affected received warnings of criminal prosecution for alleged "usurpation of public functions," in addition to threats of losing their jobs.
The director of Páginas Villareñas, Alberto Hernández González, stated that he personally collected the testimonies of the nine individuals.
Threats of imprisonment and retaliation against family members
Among those affected are five citizen journalists who had published information about everyday issues in Santa Clara, such as garbage accumulation, deficiencies in medical services, transportation difficulties, and impacts on education.
One of the reported cases occurred on May 18, when a swimming instructor was visited at his workplace by a man who identified himself as "Lieutenant Ariel."
According to testimony collected by ICLEP, the officer threatened to fire him and warned that his two young children "could grow up with their father in prison" if he continued writing for the newsletter.
In another incident, which took place on August 19, a contributor who had published a story about the suspension of a transportation service received a warning that they could face criminal charges if they continued to engage in citizen journalism.
The pressures would also have affected a couple dedicated to verifying information from the bulletin. According to the report, police officials warned them that continuing to collaborate could harm their son’s university aspirations.
Even those who had not yet published any information were not exempt from the threats.
Two citizens interested in collaborating with Páginas Villareñas reported visits from agents to their workplaces. Both opted out of participation after receiving threats of imprisonment and job loss, according to the organization, which keeps their identities confidential.
The most recent documented incident occurred on October 2, when an English teacher who had written about health issues, environmental pollution, and blackouts received threats of criminal prosecution and dismissal. The officer also used the health condition of his mother to pressure him, according to the report.
The threats caused the withdrawal of collaborators, according to ICLEP
Hernández González explained that he began to investigate the pressures when several people who had come to the bulletin to file complaints suddenly stopped communicating.
On October 9, he decided to visit them in person and discovered that, according to their testimonies, they had been intimidated by State Security officials. He later reached out to other collaborators who had ceased their activities and found similar accounts.
The Observatory confirmed that the five citizen journalists mentioned had signed articles in various editions of Páginas Villareñas and verified their connections with the newsletter through internal records.
However, he acknowledged that he could not independently verify the reported threats, as the incidents occurred without any external witnesses.
Background of arrests and threats
The complaints add to other reported incidents of harassment against members of Páginas Villareñas.
On March 1, 2026, two collaborators from ICLEP were detained in Villa Clara while distributing copies of the newsletter.
According to the organization, they were held in police custody for approximately six hours, around 60 copies were confiscated, and they received threats of criminal prosecution for alleged "usurpation of public functions" and "violation of the constitutional order."
ICLEP noted that one of the officers involved in that interrogation used the same name by which an agent identified in four of the new testimonies was known.
The Observatory believes that the reported pressures aim to prevent the publication of community information and to discourage citizens who wish to report local issues.
The organization reminded that Articles 54 and 55 of the Cuban Constitution recognize the freedoms of expression and the press, and requested international human rights mechanisms to monitor these cases.
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