In Depth:  Cuba

Luke Randall

Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is being “systematically violated”, “weaponised and used as a coercion and punishment tactic” in Cuba’s prisons, according to a new report.

The study, which was undertaken by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and featured interviews with 181 prisoners being held across five areas, found that conditions for religious prisoners have deteriorated in recent years, following limited improvements during the 2010s.

letter from Cuba

Eleven years after it began, a small network of Cuban Biblical-language teachers, taught by scholars in the UK, is thriving in Christian service.

In 2013, as part of its International Scholars Programme, Tyndale House partnered with Cuba para Cristo (translates as Cuba for Christ) to establish local Biblical-language teachers in Cuba.

‘I’ve always considered Christ to be one of the greatest revolutionaries in the history of humanity’ – Fidel Castro.

The Cuban revolution launched by los barbudos (the bearded men) – including the famous Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos – stunned the world in the late 1950s. Almost 65 years on, the country is still one of the few officially Marxist-Leninist states in existence. The late Fidel Castro governed for 55 years before passing on the reins to his brother Raúl. Miguel Díaz-Canel has been President for the last five years, bringing the rule of the Castros to an end, but keeping the Revolution alive.

Emanuel Church, a large church in eastern Cuba affiliated to the Apostolic Movement, an unregistered Protestant denomination, was demolished by the authorities on 5 February while hundreds of church members were detained.

The property of Reverend Alain Toledano in Santiago de Cuba was surrounded by officials including members of the police, state security and the military at approximately 5am. They detained his wife, Marilín Alayo Correa, before demolishing both Emanuel Church and the pastoral home.