# Humanitarian and religious rights crisis in Cuba

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/humanitarian-and-religious-rights-crisis-in-cuba
> Updated: 2026-10-21T21:35:41.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

The situation in Cuba is characterized by a deepening humanitarian crisis and increasing pressure on religious groups and citizens. The Episcopal Church in Cuba has issued a pastoral letter expressing “deep dissatisfaction” with the scarcity of basic goods, the deterioration of healthcare and education, frequent power outages, and the lack of water and medicine.

Religious leaders have also denounced the use of violence, intimidation, and police harassment against citizens. This includes the sentencing of content creator Anna Sofía Benítez and her mother to two years of liberty limitation following the distribution of a video involving a police officer.

Further reports indicate escalating harassment against unregistered evangelical pastors in Las Tunas. Leaders Mario Jorge Travieso Medina and Velmis Adriana Mariño González have reportedly faced surveillance, interrogations, detentions, and the demolition of property. They have also been subjected to travel restrictions and social media smear campaigns, which the Unregistered Cuban Churches Alliance (AICNOR) claims are punitive responses to their religious ministry and food assistance efforts.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Cuban pastors face surveillance and harassment in Las Tunas

The Unregistered Cuban Churches Alliance reports that evangelical pastors in Las Tunas face surveillance, travel bans, and property confiscation due to their religious ministry and humanitarian work.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuban-pastors-face-surveillance-and-harassment-in-las-tunas

### 2026-10-06: Episcopal Church in Cuba denounces humanitarian crisis and police harassment

The Episcopal Church in Cuba has denounced the country's humanitarian crisis and police harassment, while expressing solidarity with activist Anna Bensi following her recent legal sentencing.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/episcopal-church-in-cuba-denounces-humanitarian-crisis-and-police-harassment

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Cite as: Humanitarian and religious rights crisis in Cuba. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/humanitarian-and-religious-rights-crisis-in-cuba
