The Cuban regime detained journalist José Luis Tan Estrada: human rights organizations demand his immediate release

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Cuban Journalist José Luis Tan Estrada Arbitrarily Detained For Posts on Social Networks

In a disturbing development highlighting the ongoing crackdown on press freedom in Cuba, Cuban journalist José Luis Tan Estrada was arbitrarily detained by the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel on unspecified charges related to his social media posts. Tan Estrada, an independent journalist and contributor to portals like CubaNet, was taken into custody at the State Security Headquarters, Villa Marista in Havana.

According to activist Yamilka Lafita, also known as Lara Crofts, Tan Estrada was detained at 2:00 pm local time upon his return to Havana, and was only allowed to make a single call six hours later. The journalist had previously been fined for violating Decree Law 370, a tool used by the regime to silence dissent.

Tan Estrada’s detention prompted strong condemnation from human rights organizations and activists, who called for his immediate release. PEN International called on the Cuban authorities to halt the harassment of critical voices in the country, while Amnesty International’s Astrid Valencia condemned the arrest as an unjust attack on press freedom.

The Cuban Human Rights Observatory also denounced the journalist’s detention, with activist Irma Broek emphasizing the need to speak out against such repression. The arrest of Tan Estrada serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by independent journalists in Cuba, and the ongoing need to defend freedom of the press and expression.