A man in Camagüey was apprehended by Cuban State Security and had his cellphone confiscated for recording the prices at private stores in the city, according to a Facebook post by Cuban citizen Leonor Rodríguez on Saturday.
Rodríguez revealed that she had requested her friend to document the prices in these stores, which she described as "invented shops that must be controlled by GAESA."
"The situation is that he was detained and the phone was taken by, of course, State Security (G-2). And they issued the usual threat that he can't make videos," the complainant stated.
In the video recorded just before the arrest, someone is heard warning, "that's illegal" upon seeing the prices being captured, to which the recorder retorted, "What is illegal? Being aware of what you're experiencing?"
Rodríguez attributed the arrest to informers who reported the man to the authorities. "I didn't think those bastards still have those informers who are starving and keep snitching on those who are speaking out and recording reality," she wrote.
The Broader Context of Suppression
This incident is part of a broader pattern of increasing repression against those documenting Cuba's economic crisis.
The most direct precedent is that of Julio César Duque de Estrada Ferrer from Santiago de Cuba, who in September 2025 was sentenced to four years and six months in prison for filming a line for purchasing liquefied gas in public. The court found him guilty of "disobedience" and "assault."
In 2026, repression for filming has escalated. Independent journalist José Antonio López Piña reported being detained and beaten in July in Santiago de Cuba while filming in the streets.
Just this past Friday, a State Security agent was recorded threatening residents of El Fanguito for posting images of his presence on social media.
Contextualizing Economic Motivations
The drive to record in Camagüey is understandable given the current economic landscape. In this city, a single malt beverage was sold for 325 Cuban pesos in April, and a variety of products on Palomino Street cost the equivalent of 180 dollars in June.
The Cuban peso depreciated by over 30% against the informal dollar from February to June 2026.
This repression starkly contrasts with a declaration from the Ministry of Domestic Trade itself, which in 2019 stated that customers have the right to photograph prices and items in stores and commercial centers, a stance openly contradicted by current repressive practices.
Understanding Cuba's Economic and Social Repression
Why was the man in Camagüey detained?
The man was detained by State Security for recording prices in private stores, an act seen as illegal by the authorities.
What was the government's stance on photographing prices in 2019?
In 2019, the Ministry of Domestic Trade stated that customers had the right to take photos of prices and products in stores, a policy contradicted by current repressive measures.
How has the economic situation in Camagüey influenced the desire to record prices?
The economic hardship, evidenced by high prices like a malt beverage costing 325 pesos, drives citizens to document these conditions.