On Wednesday, Juan Pablo Segura, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, called for the immediate release of Cuban independent journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro. Constantín, the founding director of La Hora de Cuba, has been imprisoned since mid-September.
"The Cuban regime has unjustly detained independent journalist Henry Constantín for simply reporting the truth and exposing the regime's abuses," Segura stated in an official post on X.
Accompanying his message, Segura shared an image labeling Constantín as "unjustly detained" and highlighting his "crime" as promoting independent media.
Segura further emphasized that the Trump administration will continue to "expose the horrific crimes of this dictatorship, demand accountability, and support the Cuban people who deserve freedom from tyranny."
Details of Constantín's Arrest
Constantín was apprehended on September 16 after responding to a verbal summons at a National Police unit in Camagüey. He has remained in custody since that day.
Cuban authorities have charged him with "disobedience," claiming he failed to appear for a migration appointment on September 9. However, Constantín posted on Facebook that he did visit the Vista Hermosa Immigration office on that date, only to find that the agents had already left and that he was to be summoned again.
Transfer to Maximum Security Prison
Initially held at Villa María Luisa, the headquarters for State Security operations in Camagüey, Constantín was abruptly transferred to the Kilo 7 maximum-security prison. His family was not informed of this move beforehand.
A habeas corpus petition filed with the Provincial People's Court of Camagüey has encountered delays and bureaucratic hurdles. Legal expert Luis Orlando Bermúdez criticized the postponements, noting, "A decision cannot contradict procedural law."
International Pressure for Release
From prison, Constantín managed to send a brief message through his partner, journalist Alejandra García: "I am calm and remain resolute."
International pressure for his release has intensified recently. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) demanded his immediate release on Monday, noting that this is at least the 19th time Constantín has been detained due to his journalistic work.
Artur Romeu, director of RSF's Latin America office, insisted that Constantín and his team "must be allowed to continue their reporting without intimidation or arbitrary restrictions."
The Inter American Press Association (IAPA), where Constantín serves as the regional vice president for Cuba on the Press Freedom and Information Commission, also condemned his arrest. IAPA President Martha Ramos stated that "summonses, detentions, surveillance, and house arrests against Constantín are part of a pressure pattern aimed at hindering his journalistic work."
Since 2019, Constantín has been banned from leaving the island, a restriction that prevented him from traveling to Stockholm this year to receive the "Civil Rights Defender of the Year" award, granted to his publication alongside Georgia’s Netgazeti.
The Broader Context of Press Freedom in Cuba
This case unfolds amid Washington's ongoing criticism of Havana over the plight of political prisoners and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. In terms of press freedom, Cuba ranks 160th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2026 global index, with a score of 29.22.
Understanding the Henry Constantín Case
Why was Henry Constantín detained?
Henry Constantín was detained by Cuban authorities for allegedly disobeying a migration summons, though he contends that he complied. His detention is widely viewed as a repressive measure against his independent journalism.
What has been the international response to Constantín's arrest?
Organizations like Reporters Without Borders and the Inter American Press Association have called for Constantín's immediate release, condemning the Cuban regime's actions as attempts to suppress press freedom.
What impact does this case have on press freedom in Cuba?
The detention of Henry Constantín highlights the severe restrictions on press freedom in Cuba, as evidenced by the country's low ranking in global press freedom indices.