Cuban journalist José Gabriel Barrenechea was found guilty of public disorder, protesting, and associating “with people of bad morals and social conduct” on January 15, 2026, and sentenced to six years in prison. Barrenechea’s sentence came after he joined a peaceful protest against power outages during a blackout in the wake of Hurricane Rafael on November 7, 2024, in the town of Encrucijada, Villa Clara, according to a copy of the sentence obtained by CPJ.
The Provincial Court of Villa Clara, a Cuban province, upheld the sentence requested by the prosecution for Barrenechea who is a contributing writer for the independent media outlet, 14ymedio.
Although local media sources told CPJ that Barrenechea was present at the protest as a participant rather than a journalist, CPJ is concerned that the severity of his sentence is intended to silence his media activities. Barrenechea was previously targeted by local authorities in connection with his writing, has been subjected to numerous police summonses and brief detentions.
Barrenechea, 54, who was arrested on November 8, 2024, was sentenced with several other protestors who received between three- and eight-year sentences. The court stated “the intention to destabilize public order and create insecurity among the population” in justifying the lengthy prison sentences.
Human rights groups reported that Barrenechea’s health deteriorated due to a 10-day hunger strike after his 2024 arrest, according to PEN America. Barrenechea was allowed a brief final visit with his mother before she died in May 2025, according to media reports.