Human rights defender prevented from traveling abroad and detained for several days

Rolando Rodríguez Lobaina, director of the Palenque Vision news agency, was detained in the Terminal 3 at the José Martí International Airport by the State Security agents and taken to the police unit located in the municipality of Boyeros in the Havana Province. This happened when Rolando was about to travel to the United States, taking a flight at 8:30 pm. When he tried to cross the border (through the migration department), the officials who work there informed him that he was restricted from undertaking the journey. After that, he was taken to various police units in Havana and then eventually driven to the Granma Province. There he was informed that his travel status had been regulated since his ex-wife had accused him of threats. After several interventions carried out by Rolando's family, the police finally confronted Rolando with alleged evidences they got from the accusing party. However, it was proofed that the accusation was false and fabricated by the State Security in order to keep Rolando Rodríguez Lobaina in check. He was released at about 8 am on 4 February with an arbitrary fine 30 pesos if he did not prove his innocence concerning the alleged threats against his wife.