Cuban pastors face surveillance and harassment in Las Tunas

The Unregistered Cuban Churches Alliance (AICNOR) has reported an escalation of harassment against evangelical pastors Mario Jorge Travieso Medina and Velmis Adriana Mariño González in Las Tunas. The couple, founders of the International Ministry ‘Viento Recio’, are reportedly facing surveillance, interrogations, detentions, and the confiscation and demolition of property related to their religious work.

According to AICNOR, the pastors have been subjected to long-term travel restrictions, including being denied standard passports and being unable to leave or return to Cuba by air or sea. The alliance also alleges a systematic smear campaign conducted via social media profiles linked to State Security to damage Travieso Medina’s reputation.

The organization claims these measures are a punitive response to the couple’s religious ministry and their efforts to provide food assistance to children and vulnerable groups. AICNOR highlighted a disparity in treatment between these unregistered leaders and officially recognized religious denominations in the country.