Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada has publicly accused the police of harassing his family in Santiago de Cuba. According to Mayeta, two uniformed officers arrived at his relatives' home in the Altamira neighborhood on Tuesday, in what he believes is a clear attempt to intimidate him because of his journalistic work.
In a post on Facebook, Mayeta described how the officers, dressed in blue and riding a motorcycle, inquired about a person named "Pedro Mayeta," claiming that the "Mayeta family" lived there.
Mayeta dismissed the officers' explanation, stating, "In my Mayeta family, who are actually from Nuevo Vista Alegre and not Altamira, I have no knowledge of a Pedro Mayeta. There's certainly no one by that name being sought by the police."
His brother, who does not share the Mayeta surname due to being a maternal sibling, clarified the situation for the officers. "Authorities are fully aware of who lived in that house: Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, and they know very well that I no longer reside there."
Mayeta explicitly held the Santiago de Cuba authorities, the Communist Party, and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) accountable for any intimidation directed at his family. "If they are searching for someone, they should clarify who it is, why they are searching for them, and why they come to the house where I lived for years," he demanded.
He also criticized the Santiago police's priorities: "They know where to find individuals accused of theft, fraud, and other crimes directly impacting the community. Yet, many families feel these cases are ignored, while officers question those linked to critics of the dictatorship."
Pressure Mounts on Independent Journalists
This incident adds to a growing list of pressures that have escalated in recent weeks.
Mayeta's father, Agustín Mayeta Pérez, an elderly resident of Santiago de Cuba, has been prescribed several medications unavailable at state pharmacies and was advised to seek them in the informal market. "Get it outside," was the response he received at the medical consultation.
Back in May, Mayeta reported receiving direct threats via WhatsApp from Cuba, with messages stating, "We will knock on your door at 10:00 in the morning," following his publication of investigations into a fatal accident in the Santa Bárbara district of the city.
Documented Cases of Family Harassment
The pattern of harassment toward relatives of independent journalists in Cuba has been documented by organizations like Amnesty International, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), Cubalex, and the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and Press (ICLEP). The latter reported in July at least 12 instances of reprisals against family members or close associates, a tactic experts label as "vicarious repression": targeting critical journalists through their loved ones.
Since moving to the United States in 2019 and officially joining Martí Noticias in late July, Mayeta remains steadfast against the pressure: "If the objective is to instill fear, they picked the wrong family and the wrong Mayeta."
He sent a direct message to those responsible for the operation: "My family should not bear the consequences of my journalistic work. If the issue is with me, you know my name and where I live."
Understanding the Harassment of Journalists in Cuba
What led Yosmany Mayeta to accuse the police of harassment?
Mayeta accused the police of harassment after officers visited his family's home under the pretense of searching for someone named Pedro Mayeta, whom his family does not know.
How has Mayeta's family been pressured by authorities?
Mayeta's family has faced intimidation, including police visits and his father being unable to access prescribed medications through official channels.
What organizations have documented harassment of journalists' families in Cuba?
Organizations such as Amnesty International, the IAPA, Cubalex, and ICLEP have documented cases of harassment toward journalists' families in Cuba.