In July protests sprang up across Cuba, as the country’s citizens united to call peacefully for their basic rights. The protests followed months of severe food and medicine shortages, exacerbated by a spike in COVID-19 infections. The government responded harshly, and the peaceful protesters were violently attacked. Many human rights defenders and some religious leaders were detained for peacefully expressing their views. For updates on this developing situation visit csw.org.uk/cubaprotests

Sunday 12 December

Over 800 people were detained during and in the days following the protests, many of them held incommunicado for varying lengths of time and now facing charges like ‘disrespect’ and ‘public disorder’ which carry long prison sentences. Those who were released report being under surveillance. Pray for complete emotional, psychological and physical healing from their ordeal.

Monday 13 December

Pastors Yéremi Blanco Ramírez and Yarian Sierra Madrigal were detained on 11 July, held for two weeks and fined following their release. Pastor Yarian’s wife and child were evicted after their landlord was threatened that he would lose the property if he did not evict them. Pray for God’s protection over them and their families, and that Yarian’s family would find a new home.

Tuesday 14 December

Reverend Jatniel Pérez Feria told CSW that for weeks following the protests, his home was under 24-hour surveillance, with a State Security vehicle blocking his door, effectively putting him under house arrest. He also received threatening phone calls warning him to stop speaking out about imprisoned religious leaders. Pray for his protection.

Wednesday 15 December

Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo was detained with his 17-year-old son, David, after taking part in a peaceful march. David was released after being ‘disappeared’ for a week, but Pastor Lorenzo has been charged with ‘public disorder, disrespect, criminal incitement and assault’ and is being held in a maximum security prison. His wife, Maridilegnis, was fired from her job and has had limited opportunities to visit him. Pray that the family would be reunited in freedom.

Thursday 16 December

Many denominations and religious groups made bold public statements calling on the government to release all those detained in relation to the protests. Give thanks for this demonstration of unity, and pray for protection over all who spoke out and who may be targeted as a result.

Friday 17 December

Father Castor Álvarez Devesa is a Roman Catholic priest in Camagüey. He was detained, beaten and imprisoned overnight after he attempted to assist an injured protestor on 11 July. Although he was released from prison, he is still facing criminal charges and has been banned from traveling while awaiting trial. The date of the trial and the exact charges have not been shared with him but he believes they include ‘public disorder’. Praise God for his courage and pray for his protection and that all charges against him would be dropped.

Saturday 18 December

Lord Almighty, sovereign over all nations, we cry out to you for transformation. You hold the hearts of kings and rulers in your hands, so we ask that you plant truth, righteousness and justice in the hearts of all those who govern in Cuba. May your Holy Spirit be at work removing the roots of injustice and planting seeds of justice, freedom and hope. Amen.

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