Mabel Páez, a cuban journalist, was attacked by unidentified attackers at her home

Photographs of Mabel Páez, a Cuban journalist who says she was attacked by masked men she believes were working for the government. (Mabel Páez via ICLP)

Páez was attacked around 8:30 p.m. on December 7 by two unidentified men with their faces covered in the western province of Artemisa, according to news reports and Normando Hernández, general manager of the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP)​.​

Paez directs the community newspaper El Majadero de Artemisa, which is one of seven free publications printed and distributed throughout Cuba by ICLEP.

Páez was repeatedly punched and kicked by the men, leaving her bleeding on the ground. According to a report by ICLEP, she suffered bruises, swelling, and scratches on her left eyebrow, left mouth, nose, arms, right hand, and torso.

Páez's home was not robbed, and before leaving on a motorcycle, one of the men said, "This is the first warning," according to the report.

An article in El Majadero de Artemisa reported on a teenager's death while undergoing military training after he was conscripted against his will.

Páez's home, in which is located the offices of El Majadero de Artemisa, was raided by two police officers and two state security agents on December 5, allegedly looking for ICLEP Executive Director Alberto Corzo, who is under investigation for alleged public disorder. Police barred Páez from exiting her residence and left her under police surveillance for the remainder of the day​.​​​​​

There is no doubt that all of this is a political police operation aimed at scaring Mabel and preventing her from working as a journalist, Hernández told CPJ.

​The Cuban government has repeatedly targeted journalists and outlets with harassment in retaliation for their independent reporting, including raids, detentions, threats, and other forms of coercion.

* This article contained information that was sourced from the Committee to Protect Journalists.