CubaHeadlines

Cuban Journalist and HispanTV Contributor Trapped in Tehran Amid Escalating Tensions

Friday, June 20, 2025 by Olivia Torres

Cuban Journalist and HispanTV Contributor Trapped in Tehran Amid Escalating Tensions
Jaime Yoan Batista Peña - Image of © Facebook / Jaime Yoan Batista Peña

The Cuban journalist, Jaime Yoan Batista Peña, known for his work with the Iranian state channel HispanTV, found himself stranded in Tehran amidst the recent Israeli airstrikes targeting strategic sites in the region. He was eventually evacuated by the Cuban embassy. Concerns about Batista Peña's safety heightened on Monday when an Iranian presenter was forced to flee the studio after a missile strike on the television network. The Cuban reporter posted, "Israel attacked the main headquarters of radio and television; I'm trying to stay safe. My thoughts are with everyone," as reported by independent outlets 14ymedio and journalist Mario J. Pentón.

The Cuban government announced on Wednesday that they are in communication with their citizens, and Batista Peña confirmed, "I am safe and sheltered by our Cuban embassy. Thank you for your messages." Originally from Holguín province, Batista Peña has had a long career in local media such as Radio Holguín and TeleCristal. He has been reporting for HispanTV for several years, a network that broadcasts in Spanish from Iran and aligns with the Iranian regime's narrative.

While countries like Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, and Chile promptly began evacuation processes for their embassies and citizens in Iran, the Cuban government initially focused on echoing support for Tehran and condemning Israel's actions, only mobilizing on Wednesday evening. The Cuban ambassador in Iran, Carlos Pereira, stated that the diplomatic mission continued its operations, affirming Cuba's support for Iran. "Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Cuba and Iran have maintained a close collaboration based on a shared discourse against the United States and Israel," he remarked.

It later emerged that the Cuban regime evacuated women, a minor, and three journalists from its embassy in Iran in response to the Israeli military aggression, as announced by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla on Thursday. Founded in 2011, HispanTV is part of Iran's international propaganda apparatus and is overseen by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), under the direct supervision of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The channel has faced international sanctions for disseminating conspiratorial, anti-Semitic, and pro-autocratic content. Batista's involvement in this media machinery places him in a precarious situation in a conflict zone.

The Cuban community in Iran is relatively small, primarily consisting of diplomats, technicians, and a few collaborators from the Havana regime.

Key Questions about the Situation in Tehran

What is the current situation for Cuban citizens in Iran?

Cuban citizens in Iran, including journalists and embassy staff, have been evacuated from potentially dangerous areas due to the escalating conflict, with ongoing communication from the Cuban government.

How has Cuba responded to the recent events in Iran?

Initially, Cuba showed support for Iran and criticized Israeli actions. However, they later took measures to evacuate their citizens from high-risk zones.

What is HispanTV’s role in the current conflict?

HispanTV, controlled by Iran's IRIB, plays a role in the Iranian propaganda network, broadcasting content that aligns with the regime's views, complicating the situation for its contributors like Jaime Yoan Batista Peña in conflict areas.

© CubaHeadlines 2025