Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2026
Take action for Henry Constantín (Cuba)
Name: Henry Constantín Ferreiro
Occupation: Journalist, writer, photographer and independent media editor
Situation: Pre-trial detention
#HenryConstantín
#DayoftheImprisonedWriter
Journalist, writer and photographer Henry Constantín Ferreiro, founder and director of independent media outlet La Hora de Cuba, has been detained since 16 September 2026 and remains in pre-trial detention. His imprisonment reflects the persistent persecution of those practising independent journalism and artivism, and those expressing critical views against the state in Cuba. PEN International calls for his immediate and unconditional release. Pending his release, the authorities must guarantee his physical and psychological integrity, access to medical care, regular communication with his family, and the effective exercise of his rights to a defence.
How you can help:
1. Write a message of hope to Henry Constantín
Send him a message of solidarity to let him know that he has not been forgotten.
2. Write to the Cuban authorities
PEN International calls on the Cuban authorities to:
Release Henry Constantín Ferreiro immediately and unconditionally.
End the use of criminal proceedings to punish his work.
While he remains detained, guarantee his physical and psychological integrity, access to medical care, regular communication with his family, and the effective exercise of his rights to a defence and to challenge his detention.
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Your diplomatic representatives in Cuba. Appeals can be sent to your Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your diplomatic representatives in Cuba.
Embassies of Cuba in your country.
Write to:
Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Padilla, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
E-mail: [email protected]
Camagüey Provincial Prosecutor’s Office
[email protected]Please, copy your email to the following addresses:
Ministry of interior: [email protected]
Presidency of Cuba: [email protected]
Please inform PEN International of any action you take and any feedback you receive.
3. Share the campaign on social media
Spread the word about Henry Constantín’s case on social media. Use the sample messages below with the hashtags #HenryConstantín and #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, tagging @peninternational.bsky.social and @penamericas.bsky.social (Bluesky), @peninternational and @peninternational.lac/ (Instagram), and facebook.com/peninternational (Facebook).
Captions:
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On this #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, take action for Cuban journalist, writer and photographer Henry Constantín Ferreiro, founder and director of independent media outlet La Hora de Cuba. He has been held in pre-trial detention since 16 September 2026, in a case reflecting the persistent persecution of independent journalism and critical voices in Cuba.
Urge the Cuban authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally, end the use of criminal proceedings to punish his journalistic work, and guarantee his fundamental rights while he remains detained. Share his story today. [link]
#HenryConstantín
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Cuban journalist and author #HenryConstantín has been held in pre-trial detention since16 September. On this #DayoftheImprisonedWriter, demand his immediate and unconditional release and an end to the persecution of independent journalism. Take action with us: [link]
Visuals:
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Henry Constantín Ferreiro is a Cuban journalist, writer and photographer, born in Camagüey in 1984. He founded La Hora de Cuba in 2013 as an independent print magazine, which later became a digital media outlet reporting on detentions, judicial proceedings, violations of freedom of expression, the economic crisis and shortcomings in public services. In 2026, La Hora de Cuba received the Civil Rights Defender of the Year award. Constantín was unable to travel to Stockholm to receive the award because of a travel ban imposed on him by the Cuban state in 2019. He also contributes to several publications, including Árbol Invertido, and is vice president for Cuba of the Inter American Press Association’s Freedom of the Press and Information Committee.
Constantín has been detained since 16 September 2026, following a verbal summons by the police to attend a National Police station. The authorities detained him on allegations of “disobedience”, claiming he had failed to attend an earlier summons issued on 9 September, which he denies missing. On 24 September, he was transferred to Kilo 7, a maximum-security prison in Camagüey, where he remains in pre-trial detention.
His detention has been accompanied by serious obstacles to due process, including delays in accessing the case file and the absence of written notification detailing the order imposing pre-trial detention. The Provincial People’s Court of Camagüey did not admit his habeas corpus petition, and his scheduled hearing has not taken place.
According to Reporters Without Borders, this is Constantín’s 19th detention, which is clearly linked to his reporting. He was arrested while covering the demonstrations of 11 July 2021 in Camagüey and has faced subsequent detentions while attempting to report on judicial proceedings or interview relatives of imprisoned dissidents who participated in the protests. In June 2025, he was detained for four days over an allegation of “contempt” linked to a post published on La Hora de Cuba’s Facebook page that denounced the conduct of a State Security agent.
His case reflects a broader pattern of intimidation and restrictions targeting journalists, writers and artists who criticise the Cuban authorities. PEN International calls for his immediate and unconditional release and for an end to the use of criminal proceedings to punish his journalistic work.
Share:
Thank you for supporting Henry Constantín. Please share his story on social media to urge others to stand against the persecution of independent journalism and the suppression of freedom of expression in Cuba.
Note to Editors:
For further details, please contact Alicia Quiñones, Head of the Americas Region at PEN International: [email protected]
For media queries, please contact Sabrina Tucci, Head of Communications and Campaigns at PEN International: [email protected]
