Ranked 160th out of 180 countries, Cuba has been identified as the second least favorable country in the Americas regarding press freedom, according to the 2026 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released on Thursday. Only Nicaragua, placed at 168th, fares worse in the region.
Venezuela is positioned at 159th, just slightly ahead of Cuba, while Nicaragua occupies the lowest spot in the Americas with the most dismal rating.
RSF paints a bleak picture of the island nation, describing it as being in the throes of a severe crisis that increasingly drives the few remaining independent journalists underground. The Cuban Constitution mandates that all media outlets are state-owned, making any form of unofficial journalism illegal or clandestine.
Escalating Repression Against Journalists
The crackdown on press freedom has escalated to alarming levels. In January 2026 alone, the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP) documented 114 attacks on journalists, including 69 arbitrary detentions—a staggering 430.8% increase compared to January 2025.
One of the most notable cases involves journalist Henry Constantín, the editor of La Hora de Cuba, who was detained at least three times in January 2026. This includes a forced disappearance lasting 44 hours on January 14 and another arrest on January 27 alongside fellow journalist Alejandra García.
The Inter American Press Association demanded Constantín's release in July 2025, condemning the systematic harassment and travel ban imposed on him for the past seven years.
Regional and Global Decline in Press Freedom
In the 2024 edition of the same index, Cuba was ranked 168th, the worst among Latin American countries for press freedom. The slight numerical improvement by 2026 does not signify any real progress on the island but rather reflects worsening conditions in other regional countries.
The Americas, as a whole, are experiencing a worrying decline, having lost 14 points in the RSF Index since 2022. The United States slipped seven places to 64th, Ecuador fell 31 spots to 125th due to organized crime violence, and Argentina dropped 11 places to 98th.
The global landscape is equally grim. For the first time in the index's 25-year history, over 52.2% of countries worldwide are categorized as having a "difficult" or "very serious" situation, compared to just 13.7% in 2002. Currently, less than 1% of the global population resides in a country where the press is considered "good."
The legal indicator has seen the most significant decline this year, highlighting a global trend toward criminalizing journalism through national security laws and abusive judicial actions.
Norway continues to lead the index for the tenth consecutive year, whereas Eritrea remains at the bottom for the third year running.
Anne Bocandé, RSF's editorial director, issued a stern warning: "Authoritarian states, complicit or ineffective political powers, predatory economic actors, and unregulated platforms bear direct and overwhelming responsibility. In the face of this, passivity becomes a form of complicity."
Understanding Press Freedom Challenges in Cuba
Why is Cuba considered one of the worst countries for press freedom?
Cuba is ranked poorly due to its state-controlled media, illegal status of independent journalism, and the increasing repression and arbitrary detentions of journalists.
How has the situation for journalists in Cuba changed recently?
The situation has worsened, with a significant rise in arbitrary detentions and attacks on journalists, as documented by ICLEP in January 2026.
What is the global trend in press freedom according to RSF?
Globally, press freedom is in decline, with more than half of the world's countries experiencing a "difficult" or "very serious" situation, marking a significant increase from past years.