Cuban regime arrests journalist José Luis Don Estrada: Human rights organizations demand his immediate release

In a new attack on press freedom CubaCuban journalist JOSE LUIS DAN ESTRADA He was arbitrarily detained this Friday by the dictatorship of Miguel Diaz-Canel For unspecified charges, but it appears to be related to posts made by the contact on social networks. After the arrest, organizations and activists Human rights They demanded their immediate release.

EstradaFreelance journalist, contributor to websites like Cubannet, Detained in State Security Headquarters, Villa Marista in Havana, reported by the activist this Friday Yamilka LafitaKnown as Lara Crofts in social networks.

According to his story, the journalist told him that after returning to Havana, he was detained around 2:00 pm local time. It was six hours later that he was able to communicate even once.

“Please let's make this viral, we all know very well what's going on in those cells Torture And this Psychological pressures There the transplants are subjected, more so an activist and independent journalist,” the activist wrote.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Don Estrada is also known for humanitarian work It goes forward on the lowered island

Prior to his arrest on Friday, Don Estrada He has been summoned several times in the past few weeks. He said that a few days ago A fine of 3,000 Cuban pesos (about $125) was imposed for trespassing 370 of Ordinance ActUsed by the regime to silence activists, journalists and citizens in general.

A telecom analyst showed her a folder full of posts on Facebook and X social networks.Like it memes, comments, Like it Other publications, shared memes, some even from last year,” said the journalist.

“Once again, you know, the repressive and oppressive hands of the Cuban regime are trying to silence all of us who raise our voices against its continuing human rights abuses, but we are not afraid,” he said.

Journalist and A Warning letter “Reflected these alleged crimes,” he was threatened with, the oppressors argued that some of the publications were against the leaders of this country, and that many were encouraged by them to do so.

Following the news of the arrest, Journalists, activists and non-governmental organizations have demanded his immediate release By Don Estrada.

PEN International He called on “Cuban authorities to stop persecuting critical voices in their country.”

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PEN condemns these events and calls for the journalist's immediate release, and calls on the Cuban authorities to stop persecuting critical voices in their country.

— PEN International – Americas and the Caribbean (@PEN_LAC) April 27, 2024

Astrid ValenciaDirector for America International AmnestyThey have condemned the arrest.

“The Cuban authorities are so afraid of the freedom of prisoners that they are unjustly detaining journalists. Without freedom of the press, censorship and scrutiny of those in power diminishesTherefore, the strategy of states that violate human rights is to silence the ambassador,” he wrote.

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Cuban authorities are so afraid of prisoners' freedom that they have unjustly detained journalists. Without freedom of the press, censorship and scrutiny of those in power diminishes, and therefore, the strategy of states that violate human rights is to silence… https://t.co/1GbG9hWQaq

— Astrid Valencia (@Astrid_valp) April 28, 2024

“Complaining is not a crime. Helping those who need medicine, food and shelter is not a crime. “It is not a crime to show solidarity, civility and commitment,” said the Cuban academic. Johanna SilanoRegional Inspector International Amnesty.

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For this he was arbitrarily detained @JLperiodista96
Reporting is not a crime
Helping those who need medicine, food and shelter is not a crime
Showing solidarity, civility and commitment is not a crime #Free https://t.co/9PmbfOUPGu

— Johanna Silano (@silanojohanna) April 28, 2024

Also a Colombian academic Sergio AngelThe director of the Cuba program recalled Don Estrada Camagüey's expulsion from the University after denouncing the arrest.

He Cuban Human Rights Watch Condemned the arrest on Saturday.

Activist Irma Brock He stressed the need to raise voices to reject these actions, which reaffirm the existence of tyranny in Cuba, as repression escalates.

“Faced with an environment of continuous attacks against independent journalism, it is urgent to create spaces for coordination among colleagues at national and regional levels, respecting the diversity of opinions and ideas, with a common goal: press freedom and expression,” he told the networks.