Communism has ruled Cuba since 1959; the pressure on believers remains firm.
bottom"After these 40 years in the ministry, I have learned that we must face life's trials and tribulations with courage and trust in God."
– Angel, Cuban Pastor
Cuba’s government is the main reason Christians face persecution. Anything deemed to compete with the Communist Party of Cuba is squeezed, and this includes the Christian faith. Church leaders or believers who speak out against human injustice or political corruption, or who dare to criticise the regime, risk interrogation, arrest, smear campaigns and even prison sentences.
Authorities can also target churches. Because churches require registration to be legal, the government can deny the registration or ignore the application of some religious groups, forcing these churches to operate illegally. This gives the government an excuse to shut them down whenever they please. In these cases, the government imposes penalties on churches, including fines, the demolition of buildings, church closure, and the confiscation of property.
Churches permitted to register with the government do so under extreme scrutiny and monitoring. All churches are monitored in Cuba and may be infiltrated by citizens sympathetic to the regime and/or State security agents. Registered or unregistered, churches continue to be open for worship throughout Cuba but only as long as the government allows it. As soon as a Christian is deemed to be anti-government or anti-revolutionary, the response is swift and harsh.
Christians who lead unregistered churches or who are compelled by their faith to speak out against the regime are most at risk in Cuba. The Cuban regime continued its policy of squeezing followers of Jesus this year, especially those who supported or participated in the 2021 protests. Many Cuban Christians are afraid to speak out against this kind of corruption or believe it won’t make any difference.
– Praise God that the church in Cuba is growing, despite the severe restrictions.
– Pray that Cuba’s leaders would allow churches to meet openly and legally.
– Pray that Cuban believers would have the courage to stand up for their convictions.
Open Doors’ local partners strengthen the persecuted church in Cuba through Bible distribution, livelihood projects, biblical training, leadership development projects, care and support for children and pastors’ families, and socio-economic development.
