Visiting Cuba as a Cuban Photographer, the risks

As a Cuban-American, I would love to photograph my country of origin, but believe it or not, visiting Cuba as a Cuban photographer is riskier than visiting as a photographer from another country.

As a Cuban photographer visiting Cuba, the primary risk lies in potential scrutiny from authorities, especially if you capture subjects considered sensitive by the government, such as military installations, police personnel, or politically sensitive areas. Photographing these is strictly prohibited and could lead to legal repercussions. Keep in mind that in most countries, you'll find signs indicating whether photography is allowed or not. In Cuba, however, such alerts are rarely present.

You can take pictures of police in public in the United States.
This is protected by the First Amendment,
which protects freedom of speech and the press no matter what nationality are you.

But things are not that simple. The level of destruction in cities like Havana is well-known. As a tourist, you might photograph the ruins of those buildings and face no issues. However, if I do the same, it could be interpreted as an attempt to document the destruction caused by the revolution. Being a Cuban photographer adds a political dimension to your work that photographers from other countries do not face. This is just one example of many situations that may seem fine, but may not be as acceptable if you are Cuban.

Here are the key risks to consider:

• Equipment confiscation: authorities might confiscate your camera equipment if they suspect you are taking what is considered by them prohibited or questionable photos.
• Harassment or questioning: depending on the location and situation, you might face questioning or even harassment from local officials if your photography raises concerns. I have personally witnessed this situation.
  
• It's important to remember that even if you are an American citizen, when you enter Cuba using your Cuban passport, you are legally recognized by Cuban authorities solely as a Cuban national. This means that, under Cuban law, your U.S. citizenship is not acknowledged during your stay. As a result, the United States government is limited in its ability to provide consular assistance or intervene on your behalf in the event of legal issues or disputes during your visit. This distinction can have significant implications, so it's crucial to understand the potential risks before traveling.

I know of photography tour packages organized by Cubans living in other countries, and I can’t help but imagine what it would be like if you were on one of those tours and your Cuban guide got involved in one of these situations and was detained by Cuban authorities?

To be fair, this is not a situation unique to Cuba. Photographers from countries like China or Russia may face similar risks when photographing in their home countries. In such cases, local authorities often scrutinize photographic activities more closely, particularly if the subject matter is deemed sensitive or politically charged. For these photographers, their work can inadvertently take on a political dimension, making them more vulnerable to legal or social repercussions compared to foreign photographers capturing the same scenes. This highlights the broader challenges faced by photographers working within countries where freedom of expression and access to certain subjects are heavily regulated.

When living in another country, you become accustomed to your newly acquired rights and may forget that the freedoms you take for granted are not the same in Cuba or other countries. Always do your homework to avoid running into problems.