Independent journalist and activist Ángel Cuza Alfonso was apprehended by Cuban State Security agents on Thursday while he was with his young daughter near their home. The incident was reported on Facebook by activist Keilylli De La Mora Valle.
In a video shared online, it is evident that agents arrived in a vehicle and forcibly detained Cuza. The arrest involved physical struggle, and Cuza's daughter was seen trying to hold onto one of the agents, attempting to protect her father.
"They have just taken Ángel Cuza away. He was at the corner, having stepped out to the corner of Novena with his daughter, and a gray Geely just took him away. They even hit him. The girl grabbed onto the State Security agent," De La Mora Valle stated in her broadcast.
Widening Crackdown Ahead of May Day
The activist emphasized that this arrest is part of a broader repressive wave by the regime, targeting activists and independent journalists across Cuba in anticipation of May Day.
Cuza, who contributes to the independent outlet CubaNet, has one of the most documented records of repression among Cuban journalists. He was released from prison on May 3, 2025, after serving a sentence of one year and six months for "public disorder," a charge handed down by the Popular Municipal Court of Centro Habana in November 2023.
Recurring Detentions and Accusations
Mere weeks following his release, Cuza was again arrested on July 25, 2025. Authorities cited an old bullet Cuza kept as a charm, accusing him of "illegal possession of weapons" and crimes against state security. He was shuffled between various prisons until his release from Guanajay prison on January 26, only to be detained the next day at a police station in the Playa municipality.
Pattern of Arrests Around Political Events
Cuza's first recorded arrest occurred on April 30, 2021—exactly five years prior to this recent incident—when State Security detained him on Obispo Street during a peaceful protest supporting artivist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. In December 2022, he was arrested while standing in line to buy chicken at a store in Old Havana.
Upon one of his previous releases, a State Security officer warned him bluntly: "At the slightest thing you do, you'll be back in the same bed you leave here."
Thursday's arrest fits a systematic pattern of the regime conducting preemptive detentions on the eve of politically sensitive dates. The Cuban regime has ramped up its repressive tactics in the weeks leading up to May Day, simultaneously launching a campaign for political loyalty signatures to display "massive support for the Revolution" ahead of official parades.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ángel Cuza's Arrests
Why was Ángel Cuza arrested on the eve of May Day?
Ángel Cuza was detained as part of a broader crackdown by the Cuban regime targeting activists and journalists in the run-up to May Day, which is a politically sensitive time.
What are the charges frequently brought against Ángel Cuza?
The Cuban authorities have repeatedly accused Ángel Cuza of "public disorder" and "illegal possession of weapons," often using these charges as a pretext for his detentions.
How does the Cuban regime justify these preemptive arrests?
The Cuban regime often justifies these preemptive arrests by claiming they are necessary to maintain public order and security, especially around politically significant dates.