The steady resistance of Christians in Cuba

Sabotage, betrayal and inciting crimes – these are just some of the accusations levied against believers in Cuba in recent months. With hostilities and violations of religious freedom only on the rise, your prayers for believers in this nation are greatly needed.

At least 873. That is the number of religious freedom violations recorded by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) in 2025. Many of the individuals represented by this figure are followers of Jesus, for whom restrictions and penalties for their faith are growing rather than diminishing.

Cuba is number 24 on the World Watch List, and the activities of Christians and wider churches are under constant scrutiny by the government. Even private, daily lives can be exposed to the fire of the authorities – as is the case of two believers, Ernesto and Kamil.

Nine years on the line

Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez are Christian creators of an independent audiovisual project called ‘El4tico’, whose strapline states, “‘El Cuartico’ is a dissident space within Cuba.” The two young men were both arrested earlier this year in February, when state officials arrived unannounced at Ernesto’s home in Holguín and raided his property, confiscating computers, phones, cameras and other work equipment.

The state has declared charges of ‘propaganda against the constitutional order’ and ‘incitement to commit crimes’ against the two men – charges that could condemn them to a maximum of nine years in prison. Because of their project, Ernesto and Kamil have been publicly branded as having ‘the souls of traitors and invaders’.

Since then, Ernesto and Kamil have spent five months in prison without trial or sentencing. Ernesto was asked to partake in a ‘repentance’ video – a demand he refused, insisting that he has nothing to repent for. His wife, Doris Santiesteban, has made a public plea for his release and stated that their three-year-old daughter asks constantly for her father. Along with her, Amnesty International, the U.S. State Department, the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Inter-American Press Association are amongst those who have condemned the government’s handling of the case.

Young man released

Jonathan Muir Burgos is a 16-year-old boy who was detained with his father, Pastor Elier Muir Ávila, on 16 March. The two were summoned by the police following anti-government protests which took place in Morón, and whilst Jonathan’s father was released hours after initially being incarcerated, he was held for over three months and charged with ‘sabotage’. Despite his serious skin condition requiring ongoing treatment, Jonathan was moved to Caneleta prison without his parents being formally notified. In response, Christian Solidarity Worldwide and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights pressed for his release.

In a wonderful answer to prayer, Jonathan was freed in late June. His case is not unique, however – there have been numerous incidents of minors being imprisoned or charged, often as a form of pressure against religious families who are suspected of less-than-total loyalty to the Communist regime.

Growing uncertainty, resilient peace

Church activities are also suffering increasing restrictions and pressures. In Las Tunas, a breakfast programme for pregnant women run by a local church was shut down after the authorities demanded a permit for every single delivery of food. Other churches face direct acts of violence – such as a church in Sancti Spíritus that had stones thrown at its solar panels built to manage the nation’s frequent blackouts, destroying one.

Nevertheless, believers continue to gather and to share the hope they have. “There’s a lot of uncertainty, and it grows every day. The church is playing a role of calm, of bringing peace in the middle of this situation,” shares one church leader.

Despite the restrictions and penalisations that Christians bear for their faith, they are persevering. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Cuba.