Overview
- Yoani Sánchez, founder of independent outlet 14ymedio, was intercepted on a Havana street and sent a text to colleagues reporting her detention before her whereabouts became unknown.
- Other independent reporters were briefly held earlier this week with at least one contributor fined 3,000 pesos and equipment seized and another saying her phone was tampered with and rendered inoperable.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned Sánchez’s detention and called for her immediate release and for authorities to disclose where she is being held.
- Authorities have used short detentions, fines, equipment confiscation and privacy-related warnings as a pattern to disrupt 14ymedio’s work and to pressure Sánchez’s family and contributors.
- The actions tighten pressure on Cuba’s independent press at a time when a 2023 law limits formal media to state outlets and most residents must use VPNs to read independent sites.