Cuban journalist Henry Constantín has been detained on a charge of “disobedience” and remains in state custody in Camagüey, according to local media reports and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Constantín, who also serves as vice president of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) for the region, is being held at Villa María Luisa, a State Security facility used for operations and interrogations.
His defense lawyer has filed a habeas corpus petition after authorities ordered Constantín to remain in preventive detention. However, the lawyer told the independent outlet 14ymedio that he has been unable to obtain the case file from the Prosecutor’s Office, which prevents him from filing an appeal.
Authorities accuse Constantín of failing to appear for a police summons issued for September 9. He was arrested on September 16 after attending a second summons at the Second Unit of the Revolutionary National Police.
Constantín’s defense argues that the detention is not legally justified. Under Cuban law, according to his legal team, failing to attend a first police summons is punishable only by a fine and does not constitute grounds for detention on a charge of disobedience.
Concerns Over Due Process and Press Freedom
The case has prompted renewed concerns over the treatment of independent journalists in Cuba.
José Zamora, regional director for the Americas at the Committee to Protect Journalists, called for Constantín’s immediate release and an end to what he described as the harassment of independent journalists. He also criticized authorities for detaining Constantín while preventing his lawyer from accessing the case file, arguing that this undermines due process and contributes to efforts to silence independent reporting.
Cuban outlet La Hora de Cuba has likewise called for Constantín’s release and an end to the persecution of people engaged in independent journalism.
Constantín has previously faced detention in connection with his journalistic work. In June 2025, he was held for four days on a “contempt” allegation related to a publication about the actions of a State Security agent. The case was never taken to trial.
He was also briefly arrested in July 2021 while reporting on nationwide protests sparked by food shortages and electricity blackouts.
Free Press Alliance: Independent Journalism Must Not Be Criminalized
At Free Press Alliance, we condemn the detention of journalist Henry Constantín and call for respect for his rights to due process and independent legal representation.
The use of detention against journalists, particularly in circumstances where access to legal case materials is restricted, raises serious concerns about transparency and the ability of journalists to work without fear of retaliation.
Authorities must ensure that legal proceedings are conducted according to the law and that journalists are not subjected to arbitrary restrictions because of their profession or reporting.
Independent journalism plays a fundamental role in ensuring that the public can access information and scrutinize those in positions of power. Journalists must be free to carry out this work without intimidation, harassment, or unjustified detention.