Cuba
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
9 / 100
Not Free
Internet Freedom
19 / 100
Not Free
Cuba’s one-party communist state outlaws political pluralism, bans independent media, suppresses dissent, and severely restricts basic civil liberties. The government continues to dominate the economy despite recent reforms that permit some private-sector activity.
Research & Recommendations
Cuba
Not Free
9
100
| PR Political Rights | 0 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 9 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
10
100
Not Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
Cuba’s one-party communist state outlaws political pluralism, bans independent media, suppresses dissent, and severely restricts basic civil liberties. The government continues to dominate the economy despite recent reforms that permit private-sector activity and foreign investment. The regime’s undemocratic character has not changed since a generational transition in political leadership that started in 2018 and included the introduction of a new constitution and the gradual passage of complementary new legislation.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Cuba
Not Free
19
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 5 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 9 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 5 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
21
100
Not Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom in Cuba declined during the coverage period. A severe energy crisis, marked by prolonged nationwide blackouts, caused major disruptions to internet connectivity, while affordability challenges deepened. Authorities continued to censor and punish online dissent by blocking independent news sites, imposing multiyear prison sentences on individuals for their online expression, and conducting systematic digital surveillance.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
9
/ 100
Not Free
Freedom on the Net Score
19
/ 100
Not Free
Population: 11,210,000
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
March 26, 2023
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
68.13%
Election Year
2023
Vulnerability Index
14
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
