MADRID, Spain.- In a meeting with Cuban activists and artists, the Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, denounced that in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, independent journalism “is a crime.”
During the dialogue, which took place this Tuesday in the city of Los Angeles in the context of the IX Summit of the Americas, the minister denounced that independent Cuban journalists “are exposed to systematic abuses”, among which he mentioned forced exile and house arrest.
“It is powerful to hear the stories, the struggles and the sacrifices made by this group of human rights defenders from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela,” said Blinken through the social network Twitter.
The publication was accompanied by an image of the meeting, in which the singer Yotuel Romero and the art curator Anamely Ramos participated.
Powerful to hear the stories, struggles, and sacrifices made by the group of human rights defenders from Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela I met at the #SummitAmericas today. We stand with @yotuel007, @AnamelyRamosFidel de Jesús and all those defending human rights. pic.twitter.com/jpzqzNiNZ1
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) June 8, 2022
The Secretary of State also declared this June 7 that “when individual journalists are attacked, when they are persecuted, when they are imprisoned, when they are attacked in any other way, the chilling effects go far beyond the immediate victims.”
As reported by the media BloombergAntony Blinken pointed out that “In Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela the simple act of doing investigative journalism is a crime.”
“No region of the world is more dangerous for journalists,” he added during his speech at an event on press freedom.
He also mentioned that the Biden administration will provide up to 8.5 million euros to defend journalists accused of defamation.
“It’s hard to think of a smarter investment in our democracies given the incredibly brave and innovative work being done by journalists across our region,” added Antony Blinken.
Receive information from CubaNet on your cell phone through WhatsApp. Send us a message with the word “CUBA” on the phone +1 (786) 316-2072, You can also subscribe to our electronic newsletter by giving click here.
