edro Arguelles Moran was arrested at his home in Cuba on March 20, 2003 during a government round up of journalists. He was the editor of Cooperativa Avilena de Periodistas Independientes (CAPI) and a contributor to CubaPress, Cuba Free Press and Nueva Prensa, all independent publications that are known to be critical of Castro's regime. Currently, he is imprisoned in Cuba. He was charged with "affront" in 1998 for attempting to disseminate information about human rights violations he witnessed while in prison. Moran was never tried or convicted on the charges, but was aware that incarceration was possible at any time. He expected a 2 year prison term, but instead was sentenced to 15 to 20 years.

Moran was accustomed to police surveillance in the period leading up to his incarceration. He received what is known as "the sweetheart treatment" from police; officers would make periodic visits to his home, ask questions about his beliefs and thoughts on Cuba, and indirectly warn him of the consequences of his actions. On January 15, 1999 he was deemed a "danger to society" because he did not represent or contribute to any state enterprises. On January 27, 1999 he was arrested and detained for 48 hours because authorities wanted to keep him from covering the birthday celebrations for Jose Marti. Moran also signed the Varela Project, which petitioned the Cuban legislature to grant more public and individual freedoms.

According to CubaNet.org and Reporters Sans Frontieres, other inmates may be mistreating Moran. He is being held with inmates who are career criminals, not political prisoners. He suffers from kidney problems, has lost a drastic amount of weight, and may not be receiving proper medical care.