Henry Constantin, a Cuban journalist and the director of the independent outlet La Hora de Cuba, was once more detained on Tuesday in Camagüey, merely a week after his previous arrest in Havana.
The journalist's own media outlet reported that he was stopped by a patrol of the National Revolutionary Police while he was outside his daughter's home.
The arrest took place at approximately 4:30 p.m., with no explanation given by the officers. Constantin was released roughly an hour later.
According to a member of La Hora de Cuba who witnessed the incident, two officers approached from the patrol car while a third stayed at a distance.
They first asked for his driver's license and then his personal documents, before demanding in a threatening manner that he accompany them.
All of this unfolded in front of his daughter, an act described by the outlet as psychological violence and public humiliation.
During his detention, colleagues attempted to locate him, but the police denied that he was at the First Unit of the PNR in Camagüey.
No authorities provided any information regarding the reasons for the arrest or any charges against him.
Since Monday, Constantin—who also serves as the regional vice president for Cuba of the Inter American Press Association's Committee on Freedom of Press—had experienced internet connectivity issues, a censorship tactic often used to harass independent journalists.
This latest arrest comes just six days after State Security agents raided his home in Havana, detaining him under the baseless accusation of "public disorder."
The operation coincided with the arrival in Cuba of the remains of regime officials killed during the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
La Hora de Cuba condemned the detentions of its director as part of a pattern of surveillance, internet outages, and arbitrary arrests aimed at intimidating non-official press.
"There was no explanation, just arrogance and fear of free journalism," the outlet stated in its release.
Understanding the Repeated Arrests of Cuban Journalist Henry Constantin
Why was Henry Constantin arrested twice in one week?
The reasons for Henry Constantin's repeated arrests remain unclear as authorities did not provide explanations. However, it is seen as part of a broader intimidation strategy against independent journalists in Cuba.
What implications do these arrests have for press freedom in Cuba?
These arrests highlight the ongoing challenges and threats faced by independent journalists in Cuba, underscoring the regime's attempts to suppress free press and control information dissemination.