Cuba detains journalist Adelth Bonne under Decree-Law 370

Cuban authorities violently detained independent journalist Adelth Bonne Gamboa in Havana on November 2, 2026. According to reports from CubaNet and journalist José Raúl Gallego, police officers handcuffed Bonne near his residence in the Santo Suárez neighborhood and forcibly placed him in a patrol vehicle. During the incident, officers reportedly assaulted Bonne’s partner and attempted to seize his phone while documenting the arrest.

Following his release, Bonne was issued a fine of 3,000 Cuban pesos by the Ministry of Communications. The sanction was imposed under Article 68 of Decree-Law 370, a 2018 regulation regarding the informatization of society, often referred to as the “Whip Law.” The authorities alleged that Bonne disseminated information contrary to social interests, good customs, and personal integrity.

In addition to the fine, police confiscated Bonne’s professional equipment, including a laptop, a telephone, two tripods, headphones, and a microphone, without providing official documentation. Reports indicate that Bonne faced further threats of imprisonment and sustained physical marks on his wrists from the restraints used during the detention.