The majority of imprisoned journalists were arrested in March 2003 during a massive crackdown on the country’s independent press and grassroots dissent, known as the "Black Spring." They were given prison sentences ranging from 14 to 27 years after sham trials. The journalists behind bars are subject to ill treatment and appalling living conditions and most of them have developed serious health problems for which they are regularly refused medical care.

WAN-IFRA is moreover appalled by the widespread resort to the criminal offense of "dangerousness" which enables authorities to imprison individuals suspected of intending to commit an offense, before any crime is committed. This provision was notably used to sentence Raymundo Perdigón Brito, a journalist investigating human rights abuses, to three years in prison in January 2007.

The ruthless police persecution of independent journalists has now extended to bloggers, including Cuba’s most prominent one, Yoani Sanchez, who was recently abducted and beaten, before being released.

The Board of WAN-IFRA urges the Cuban leadership to release all journalists, end an era of repression of free speech and commit to uphold international standards of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.