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Cuba

• Pastors Detained for Organizing Religious Freedom Conferences

  

  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.

• House Church Denied Reopening

  

  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.

• Church Building Destroyed

  

   

  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.

• Released from Detention

  

  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.

• Defenders of Religious Freedom Blocked from Meetings

  

  The United States Department of State has been hosting a Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom event in Washington, D.C. from July 16th to 18th. Representatives from around the world have gathered together to discuss this major issue. For some representatives from Cuba, however, attendance was blocked by the Cuban government.

  Ricardo Fernandez Izaguirre, an independent journalist and outspoken advocate for religious freedom in the country, was detained on July 12th and has not been heard from since. Attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful, and his cell phone appears to be disconnected. The reason for his detention is unknown.

• Church Traumatized by Fatal Shooting

  

  Pastor Leider Molina, 24, had just finished preaching at his church in Caucasia (northwest Colombia) on Friday, February 9th. As he stepped out of the building, he was shot with five bullets. The young man was known as a passionate preacher and active youth leader in his church and city.

• Pastor Threatened for Repairing Churches

  

  A Cuban pastor has been repeatedly threatened and harassed for his efforts to repair church buildings that were damaged during the 2018 hurricane. In an effort to continue without further interference from authorities, he and other believers have been working on the repairs through the night. Despite this, the pastor was recently threatened by one of the opposing neighbours who approached him with a machete.

• Pastoral Leader Threatened with Arrest

  
  Rev. Alain Toledano
  Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

  The reverend of the Emanuel Church, which was demolished on February 5th, has now been threatened with arrest. Reverend Alain Toledano was told by the chief of police in Santiago de Cuba that charges are being prepared against him concerning the alleged illegal possession of chairs and supports for the roof of the destroyed church.

  The police threats came after Reverend Toledano and a number of other church leaders held meetings on February 23rd with regional Cuban Communist Party (CCP) and Ministry of Housing and Planning officials to discuss the events of February 5th. According to the reverend, the First Secretary of the CCP in Santiago told the group that the belongings of the church would be returned, and the question regarding the future of the property and his family home would be discussed with government officials. However, at a meeting later in the day, government officials and the police chief contradicted the CCP official and informed the reverend that a criminal case was being built against him.

  Reverend Toledano, who belongs to the Apostolic Movement, a network of churches that the government has refused to register, was out of the country attending a religious event when the demolition of his church and home took place. Shortly after his return on February 12th, he was visited by six state security agents who warned him not to hold any religious meetings or to "go out into the streets." The pastoral leader also expressed concern for his wife, who was dragged out of bed at 5 a.m., then handcuffed and detained for the duration of the demolition, along with her two young daughters who witnessed the mistreatment their mother endured. All three are exhibiting signs of emotional trauma: "My daughters toss and turn all night, and during the day they are dazed and fearful," he adds.

  More information on persecution in Cuba, including reports of other cases, may be reviewed at our country report.

  Pray that the Lord will strengthen and encourage Reverend Toledano, his family and congregation so they will be able to withstand the opposition of the governing officials. Just as God shut the mouths of the lions in the Old Testament account of Daniel (chapter 6) so no harm could come to His faithful servant, may the threats of charges against this Cuban church leader not come to fruition. Like the mentioned Biblical character, may Reverend Toledano be granted wisdom and favour when dealing with the authorities. In addition to needed healing and restoration for this victimized family and church congregation, pray that the Lord will bring about changes in the hearts of the authorities through the work of His Holy Spirit and the witness of these steadfast believers.

• Reverend Carballeda Released From Prison

  Reverend Jesús Noel Carballeda, a 45-year-old Cuban pastor of an unregistered church in Havana who had been detained since early February for holding unauthorized religious services, was released on August 31st. Prior to his most recent imprisonment in the Valle Grande prison of San Antonio de los Baños (located outside of Havana), Rev. Carballeda was previously imprisoned in the year 2000 for four months after militant communist neighbours filed legal complaints about church services being held in his family home in Marianao, Havana.

  The church is associated with the Apostolic Movement, a fast-growing network of churches that the Cuban government has refused to register. Because the religious group is unable to receive the necessary permits for a designated place of worship, all of the church's affiliated activities are technically illegal.

  The detention of Rev. Carballeda is part of a larger crackdown on religious freedom that has taken place in Cuba over the past few years. Unregistered religious groups have been a particular target of government repression, with religious leaders reporting harassment, fines and threats of confiscation or destruction of property. Other persecution stories, including praise reports, are available at the Cuba Country Report.

  Thank God for His goodness in ensuring Rev. Carballeda's release from prison. Ask the Lord to now help him overcome the challenging setbacks he encountered in recent months. May this persevering church leader and his family be ministered to personally and given wisdom while making decisions concerning the future of the church. Pray for continued church growth all across Cuba, despite the country's oppressive spiritual climate, asking the Lord to further equip believers with courage in the midst of opposition.

• Pastor's Son Falsely Accused and Imprisoned

  A young Christian man was recently jailed in an effort to hurt his pastoring family, whose role is integral to a new church plant which VOM sources describe as being a "powerful blessing" in the community. Gabriel Jeyva, 19, was serving his mandatory military service when he was accused of forming a cartel against the Cuban government. When Gabriel's father went to the prison to visit his son, the guards refused to let them speak to one another. "We know this is a form of persecution from the government to hurt this young man because he is the son of a pastor," a VOM contact reports.

  Communist rule in Cuba continues to impose restrictions on religious activity. Christian leaders are reluctant to say anything that could be construed as opposing the government in fear that they will then face repercussions. Evangelical believers, in particular, have reported harassment, fines and arrests for conducting public gatherings.

  Please remember Gabriel in your prayers, asking the Lord to strengthen his faith during this time of great trial. Also pray for his loved ones as they endeavour to secure his release. May the false allegations made against him quickly be dropped so that he may be free to return to his family and friends. In the meantime, ask that he be granted opportunities to share the Gospel with fellow inmates and prison guards who do not yet know Jesus. Finally, pray that God will bless the Jeyva family and their ministry efforts so that their church plant may draw many in their community into a lasting and meaningful relationship with our Lord.

  To learn more about Cuba's persecuted church, please read our Country Report.