The Cuban independent media outlet La Hora de Cuba has been honored with the prestigious Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2026, presented by the Swedish organization Civil Rights Defenders. This marks the first time a media outlet from the Americas has received this accolade.
Announced on Wednesday, April 29, the award is shared with the Georgian independent outlet Netgazeti, which also operates under an authoritarian regime. According to the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF), the Civil Rights Defenders Board recognized their "exceptional resilience and courage in defending free expression, independent journalism, and democracy."
The award ceremony is scheduled for May 18 in Stockholm. However, Henry Constantin, the director of La Hora de Cuba, will be unable to attend due to a travel ban imposed by the Cuban regime since 2019. This restriction has also barred him from participating in international events organized by the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Award Highlights Persistent Repression
The recognition sheds light on the years of systematic repression faced by the team at La Hora de Cuba, which operates from Camagüey, documenting daily life, scarcity, and social conflicts in Cuba.
In January 2026 alone, Constantin was arrested three times within a span of less than two weeks. His first arrest occurred on January 14 in Havana, where he was held incommunicado for 44 hours without charges or a court order while covering the funerals of Cuban military personnel who had died in Venezuela.
Upon his release on January 17, he was detained again later that week in Camagüey, outside his daughter's home. Authorities attempted to charge him with "inciting foreign power" and "offending the memory of combatants," allegations he refused to acknowledge.
Constantin's third arrest in January happened on the 27th, alongside collaborator Alejandra García, by State Security agents in Havana.
Continued Suppression of Independent Journalism
The repression against Constantin is not a recent occurrence. In July 2021, he and other journalists from La Hora de Cuba were detained for ten days in Camagüey while covering the July 11 protests. He also faced detention in December 2024 and December 2023.
As the regional vice president for Cuba of the IAPA's Press Freedom Commission, Constantin's role further underscores his position as a prominent figure in the independent journalism landscape on the island.
Civil Rights Defenders was established in 1982 in Sweden as the Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, adopting its current name in 2009. In 2025, the same award was presented to the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.
Frequently Asked Questions about La Hora de Cuba's Award
Why did La Hora de Cuba receive the Civil Rights Defender Award?
La Hora de Cuba was recognized for its exceptional resilience and courage in defending free expression, independent journalism, and democracy in Cuba.
What challenges has Henry Constantin faced as director of La Hora de Cuba?
Henry Constantin has faced multiple arrests and a travel ban, preventing him from participating in international events. He continues to be a prominent figure advocating for independent journalism in Cuba.
Who shared the Civil Rights Defender Award with La Hora de Cuba in 2026?
The award was shared with the Georgian independent outlet Netgazeti, which also operates in an authoritarian environment.