“The children were hungry, the food in the refrigerator had spoiled, and I left the house very upset,” says Cuban pastor Alexis Padrón. He was arrested in early June after participating in a protest over the many power outages. He was released on September 11, pending his trial. His story illustrates how the deepening crisis in Cuba is also affecting Christians.
Power outages and shortages
For more than six months, large parts of the Cuban population have been affected by prolonged power outages. Many people have electricity for only a few hours at a time, after which the power supply is cut off again for dozens of hours.
The situation is causing serious problems, including food spoiling when refrigerators lose power. This is especially difficult because Cuba has already been experiencing prolonged food shortages. The country is also facing severe shortages of fuel and medicine.
The deepening crisis is putting further pressure on the persecuted church in communist Cuba. For some Christians, this pressure has led them to take part in peaceful protests against the regime.
‘The children were hungry, the food in the refrigerator had spoiled, and I left the house very upset’
Pastor assaulted and arrested
In early June, evangelical pastor and father of three Alexis Padrón, 58, took part in a protest, where he reportedly shouted, “Down with the dictatorship!” A plainclothes officer confronted him and beat the pastor. That same evening, plainclothes officers came to his home.
Following the incident, Pastor Padrón recorded a video statement in which he said he refused to submit to a “diabolical doctrine such as communism.” The following day, he was taken to a police station against his will.
After three months in detention, Padrón was released on Friday, September 11th. However, the charges against him remain, and the pastor is required to report to the authorities twice a week. Padrón maintains that he is innocent.
Pastor Padrón’s arrest comes amid increasing pressure on religious leaders in Cuba. According to OLIRE (Observatory of Religious Freedom in Latin America), more than 200 incidents of religious persecution were recorded in June and July 2026.
Teenager arrested
Earlier this year, 16-year-old Jonathan Muir Burgos was arrested. In March, he took part with his father, Pastor Elier Muir, in demonstrations prompted by widespread power outages and food shortages. The teenager faces a charge of “sabotage,” a serious offense that carries a possible prison sentence of up to ten years. His father was not arrested.
At the maximum-security Canaleta prison, the teenager suffered from infections, intestinal parasites, dyshidrosis and vasovagal crises. He received no medical treatment for these conditions. After four months in detention, the boy was released, although it is currently unclear whether the case against him will proceed.
Christian persecution in Cuba
Christians in Cuba face significant challenges because of their faith. Cuba ranks 24th on the World Watch List of Christian persecution and is among the most restrictive countries for believers in Latin America. Pastors and churches are monitored, face intimidation, and are pressured to align themselves with the state’s communist agenda.
Open Doors continues to monitor the situation and is seeking the best ways to support the Christian community and speak up for them.
Please pray for christians in Cuba
- Give thanks for the release of Pastor Padrón and the teenager Jonathan.
- “Please pray for the pastor, his family, and the ongoing legal proceedings,” says an Open Doors representative from Latin America.
- “Please also pray for the other church leaders and pastors who are facing similar pressure,” the representative asks.
- Jonathan’s family is asking for prayer for his physical and emotional recovery.
- Please also pray for Jonathan’s family and for the ministry of his father, Pastor Elier Muir.
- Pray for God’s blessing and protection over the work of Open Doors in Cuba.
