Pastors in Cuba Face Retaliation for Providing Meals to Children and Vulnerable Groups

The Unregistered Cuban Churches Alliance (AICnoR) has raised concerns about alleged reprisals against two evangelical pastors from Las Tunas. These include travel restrictions, surveillance, interrogations, and a smear campaign reportedly intensified due to their religious work and food assistance provided to children and vulnerable individuals.

In a statement released this Wednesday, AICnoR expressed support for Apostle Mario Jorge Travieso Medina and his wife, Pastor Velmis Adriana Mariño González, identified as the founders and leaders of the International Ministry "Viento Recio."

The alliance claims that the couple has been subjected to travel restrictions for years, preventing them from leaving Cuba. It also alleges that authorities have denied them the right to obtain standard Cuban passports.

"They have been regulated for years. They cannot leave Cuba by air or sea," AICnoR stated, considering these measures a punitive response to their religious ministry.

The statement directly accuses the Office of Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, led by Caridad Diego Bello, and also mentions Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal.

AICnoR highlights a stark contrast in how these authorities conduct "dialogue" meetings with officially recognized religious denominations, providing them with certain privileges, while Travieso Medina and Mariño González remain under travel restrictions.

The organization criticizes this disparity, asserting that the pastors' freedom of movement has been weaponized against them simply for practicing their ministry and aiding the most vulnerable.

Beyond travel restrictions, AICnoR reports a history of constant surveillance, summons, detentions, interrogations, and the confiscation and demolition of property related to their religious work. They also face pressure to leave Cuba and not return.

Additionally, the alliance accuses the government of conducting a smear campaign against Pastor Travieso Medina on social media. Allegedly, fake profiles operated by State Security officials have spread harmful content to tarnish his reputation.

Among these, a profile known as "Geydao Fonseca," previously "Ssmuray de Cuba," is mentioned. The alliance claims to have identified at least eight posts against the pastor, noting a rise in aggressiveness, though the statement lacks independent evidence to verify the account administrators.

"This offensive began when authorities noticed their ministry providing breakfasts to children and lunches to vulnerable individuals," the document states.

AICnoR believes the campaign aims to discredit the pastor and potentially justify actions against him. The religious organization’s accusation has not been independently confirmed.

The alliance also questions the response of officially registered churches to the reported repression of other religious groups and citizens.

"Condemning cases like Anna Bensi and her mother is not enough (which we also support), when repression also targets others," the organization stated.

The document calls on religious leaders to speak out against defamation campaigns and travel restrictions, cautioning that silence in the face of what it describes as systematic destruction of a pastor's reputation is also a stance.

The alliance concluded its statement by urging solidarity among congregations and religious communities, emphasizing prayer and joint action in defense of those they view as persecuted victims.

The allegations by Mario Jorge Travieso about pressures against independent churches in Las Tunas have a public history spanning several years.

In May 2021, Travieso reported a significant increase in harassment against his church amidst reports of detentions, fines, and other pressures on evangelical pastors critical of the government.

At that time, Travieso explained that Pastor Alaín Santiesteban, associated with the "Viento Recio" ministry, had received multiple fines from Urban Planning authorities for erecting a structure to shield attendees from the sun during services.

"All religious rights are being trampled in this nation," Travieso told Martí Noticias, highlighting the challenges independent congregations face in conducting their activities.

The report came during coverage of the detention of Pastor Yoel Demetrio of the Missionary Church in Cuba, also in Las Tunas, who had participated in vigils supporting dissidents and political prisoners.

A year earlier, in August 2020, Mario Jorge Travieso Medina was among signatories of a letter to U.S. congress members requesting the delivery of humanitarian aid sent from Miami and withheld by Cuban authorities.

The document, endorsed by representatives of religious organizations, dissidents, and exiles, demanded that donations from the "Solidarity Among Brothers" initiative be delivered to their intended recipients in Cuba.