Authorities target Christians

Christians in Cuba have been facing harassment and fines in recent weeks, according to reports from Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

On August 17, Gilianys Meneses Rodriguez was fined by Cuba's Placetas Tribunal for "disturbing the public order" in December 2008 when a neighbour attacked her on the street. Rodriguez suffered a miscarriage following the attack. She was fined 600 Pesos (approximately $25 CAD), which is twice the average monthly salary in the country. Several other members of the Rodriguez family have also been targeted by authorities due to the family's involvement in a decision by the Interdenominational Fellowship of Evangelical Pastors and Ministers in Cuba to leave the Cuban Council of Churches. Rodriguez's father-in-law, Pastor Roberto, has been summoned to appear in court four times on charges of "threatening behaviour." Her husband, Pastor Eric Gabriel, has been sentenced to one year probation for the same charges. The family has been forced to move away from their home in Placetas due to concerns for their safety.

Alexi Perez, a leader in the Apostolic Evangelical Church in San Jose de las Lajas, Havana province, is facing accusations of alleged criminal activity. Perez, who at last report has been detained for over a month in a Havana jail, was originally imprisoned on charges of "illicit economic activity." Although these charges have since been dropped, he is currently facing new charges of "illegally receiving construction materials." Perez serves as the driver for the pastor of his church, Mario Alvarez, who has been under intense pressure from the authorities since 2007. Authorities have reportedly attempted to pressure Perez into implicating Pastor Alvarez. At the time of Perez's imprisonment, Pastor Alvarez received official notice that the government was beginning eviction proceedings against him. Perez's case follows several recent incidents of crackdowns against members of the Apostolic Church by Cuban authorities. In May and June, at least 60 pastors were temporarily detained and threatened on charges of "social dangerousness."

Ask God to provide for and sustain the Rodriguez family. Pray for endurance of faith for Alexi Perez and other Christian leaders facing trials. Pray that the Church in Cuba will continue to reach out with the news of God's grace.

To learn more about the opposition facing Christians in Cuba, go to the Cuba Country Report.

  • Country Information

    Population
    10,985,974 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    White (64.1), Mullato or mixed (26.6), Black (9.3)

    Religion (%)
    Christian (58.9), folk religion (17.6), none (23.2)

    Leader
    President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (since 2018)

    Government type
    Communist state

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on Spanish civil code

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Cuba

    Ask God to provide wisdom to Cuba's church leaders, specifically requesting that they will exemplify grace toward all governmental authorities  while remaining bold in their presentation of the Gospel.

    Pray for the salvation of the current governmental leader, Raúl Castro, as well as those who work under his leadership.

    Pray that the believers of this country will not fear government reprisal but live in unconditional surrender to the Lordship of Christ.

Select a Region

Cuba News

  • Pastors Detained for Organizing Religious Freedom Conferences
    Alejandro Hernandez Cepero
    Pastor Alejandro Hernández Cepero
    Photo: CSW UK

    In the early hours of October 31st, Alejandro Hernández Cepero, who serves as the pastor of an independent church in Cuba, was taken from his home by state security officers and detained. Another pastor, Luis Eugenio Maldonado Calvo, had been summoned to appear before the authorities that same day, and was subsequently also taken into custody.

    Read more...

  • House Church Denied Reopening
    Amparo Gallo's congregation - Photo: VOM USA
    Amparo Gallo's congregation (before pandemic restrictions).
    Photo: VOM USA

    Following an ease of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Cuban government announced that churches could begin meeting again in person as of Sunday, October 10th. However, two days before the restrictions were scheduled to be lifted, a house church led by Amparo Gallo received word that they would not be allowed to meet. The house church, located in the city of Santa Clara, presently has approximately 1,000 members.

    Read more...

  • Church Building Destroyed
    Assembies of God church - Photo: VOM Australia
    The demolished church.

     

    In the early morning of October 30th, authorities arrived with equipment and began demolishing the Assemblies of God church in Santiago de Cuba. The church, led by Pastor Faustino (Fausto) Palomo Cabrera, belongs to a legally recognized denomination.

    Read more...

  • Released from Detention
    Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre - Photo: Facebook / Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre
    Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre
    Photo: Facebook /
    Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre

    Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre, an independent journalist and religious freedom advocate, was detained on July 12th, at the same time various religious leaders were being blocked from leaving the country to attend meetings in Washington on religious freedom. (See our previously posted report.)

    On July 19th, the day after the symposium in Washington was finished, Richardo was thankfully released. "I was freed without any explanation -- just as they had arrested me," he announced with relief over the outcome.

    Read more...

View All