Miami, August 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges the Cuban government to end its harassment of Austin Llerandi, a journalist and the director of Amanecer Habanero, a community media outlet in Havana.
Llerandi, 36, has been detained numerous times in recent months for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of expression and a free press. Cuba’s penal code considers it a crime to defy “socialist law” or work as a journalist outside of state-controlled media. These laws violate the Cuban constitution which recognizes freedom of press as well as freedom of thought and expression, while also establishing the people’s “right to the free development of their personality.”
On the latest occasion, he was summoned for interrogation on August 21 at the Marianao police station for five hours. He was advised that he is being investigated for possible violation of Decree 370 which bans media publications not authorized by the state. He was warned by a State Security officer that he should leave the country within two months or face jail.
This is the second time in a month that Mr. Llerandi has been threatened with jail for “crimes against State Security” following an interrogation on July 14.
“Cuban authorities should immediately end their harassment of Austin Llerandi. No journalist should have to choose between prison and exile simply for doing their job,” said José Zamora, CPJ’s regional director for the Americas. “Llerandi has the right to remain in Cuba and practice journalism freely, without threats, detention, or intimidation.”
Llerandi is the editor of Amanecer Habanero newsletter published by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP). He told CPJ that he plans to “stay true to myself” and keep producing “the kind of journalism I believe in.”
Amanecer Habanero is one of several media outlets belonging to the (ICLEP), a Cuban exile media group which has received funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a non-profit foundation that manages U.S. government-funded democracy and press freedom programs around the world. ICLEP has been publishing newsletters since 2012.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
CPJ Staff | Radio Free (2026-08-28T23:02:29+00:00) Cuban journalist given 2 months to leave country for practicing journalism. Retrieved from https://www.radiofree.org/2026/08/28/cuban-journalist-given-2-months-to-leave-country-for-practicing-journalism/
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