1957: Constitutional Guarantees Suspended

Cuba History Timeline Events
January 15, 1957
The New York Times among others reported on the rising urban terrorism at the beginning of 1957 and resulting multiple civilian deaths and injuries, including car bombs:
"A campaign of terrorism is going on in Cuba, where news is subject to censorship. Cuba suspended constitutional guarantees Jan. 15 because of the terroristic campaign, which has been under way since an attempted rebellion in Oriente Province in December."

By Decree #78 (published January 15, 1957), constitutional guarantees were suspended for 45 days. This meant that by fiat enumerated articles of the constitutional Bill of Rights were temporarily without effect, resulting in the loss during the period of such protections as habeas corpus, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, free assembly and free speech.

based on Manuel Márquez-Sterling's Cuba 1952-1959 and
Cuba 1952-1959 Interactive Timeline