Cuban Pastor Detained Following Planned Prayer Event

Maikel Pupo Velázquez, a pastor leading the unregistered Sacred Blessing Word of Fire Church in Cuba’s Camagüey province, has been imprisoned following his arrest on September 26. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the pastor was taken into custody by state security agents near a stadium where he had previously planned to hold a public prayer gathering. Although authorities had ordered him to cancel the event, reports indicate he was arrested while attempting to inform attendees that the meeting would not proceed.

Following his arrest, Pupo Velázquez was held incommunicado at a local security headquarters for nine days before being transferred to La Cerámica Roja Prison. He currently faces charges of disobedience. The pastor’s family has expressed concern regarding his detention, noting that his 16-year-old daughter is currently receiving medical treatment at a pediatric hospital. CSW has characterized the detention as arbitrary and inhumane, calling for his immediate release and criticizing the government's restriction on his communication with his family.