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The photographer and creator of Christian content Iván Daniel Calás Navarro publicly responded to those who accuse him of "seeking a political case" in Cuba following his recent posts about the country's situation.
The controversy arose from a comment on social media that stated: “Today there are many Christians in Cuba looking for a political case rather than being willing to preach the gospel and getting into trouble for doing so.” The message sparked debate and was taken by the young man as a starting point to establish his position in a post shared on his Facebook profile.
In his response, Calás rejected that his motivation is political and defended his personal and ministerial testimony. “We do not need to go out and demonstrate how many times we have preached the gospel, face to face or on social media. The people know that. If they have any doubts about our testimony, with its ups and downs, go and ask our pastors, leaders, and friends,” he wrote.
Later, he was direct: “No, we do not want a political case. We have a lot to lose, and we know it. For those who claim that our motivation is likes, I remind you that while our primary motivation is spiritual, we do seek, as a secondary motivation, the widest reach possible. Why? Logically, because otherwise, we wouldn’t be on social media. If we do something, it must be done with excellence. On the other hand, I don’t eat likes. In fact, likes drain my resources. I'll leave it at that.”
The young man also stated that he does not need to wait for institutional pronouncements to speak about what is happening in the country: “I do not have to wait for any institution to make a statement in order to express the reality of what we are experiencing, precisely because those same institutions have taught us about Religious Freedom, the Separation of Church and State, the Universal Priesthood of Believers, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”
In another segment, he stated: “The devil cannot stand UNITY. The State Security Department cannot stand UNITY either. And we want UNITY precisely.” He concluded with a phrase that has become the most shared part of the message: “The fear is gone.”
The post generated numerous reactions. In the comments, several users expressed support for his stance and agreed on the need for believers not to remain silent about the realities of the country. Some pointed out that preaching the Gospel and denouncing social issues are not mutually exclusive actions, while others appreciated that young Christians are articulating their views clearly and calling for unity. There were also those who insisted that the church should remain aloof from public affairs, reigniting a debate that exists within various religious communities on the island.
Calás, who identifies as a Baptist evangelical Christian, has been publishing content since 2017 about faith and society through his channel "Voz De Verdad." In recent months, he gained visibility due to a series of videos in which he asks citizens in Havana, "Are you happy?" Many respondents refer to the economic crisis, power outages, and shortages, as noted in a previous article about his posts at the end of 2025.
It is not the first time he has faced pressure. In September 2023, he was summoned by State Security and, as he reported then after an interrogation in Havana, he was warned that if he said anything against the authorities he could “go to prison.” After that meeting, he declared: “Yes, I fear for my life. But God is in control. God is stronger than the DSE. God is the King of Kings.”
In his most recent post, in addition to denying any intention to seek a political confrontation, he apologized "if at any moment my character and my youth have harmed the Gospel in Cuba," and expressed gratitude to those who support him with prayers and private messages.
His publication reinforces his call for unity and highlights the role that young believers are taking on as they choose to publicly express their convictions regarding the reality of the country.
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