The Alliance of Unregistered Cuban Churches (AICnoR) denounced a series of alleged reprisals against two evangelical pastors from Las Tunas, including restrictions on leaving the country, surveillance, interrogations, and a discrediting campaign that, according to the organization, has intensified due to their religious work and the food assistance they provide to children and vulnerable individuals.
In a statement published this Wednesday, AICnoR expressed its support for Apostle Mario Jorge Travieso Medina and his wife, Pastor Velmis Adriana Mariño González, identified as the founders and leaders of the International Ministry "Viento Recio".
The alliance stated that both clergymen have been subjected to immigration restrictions for years that prevent them from leaving Cuba and reported that the authorities even deny them the possibility of obtaining a regular Cuban passport.
“They have been regulated for years. They cannot leave Cuba either by air or by sea,” stated the organization, which considers these measures a form of punishment for the exercise of their religious ministry.
The statement directly points to the Office of Attention to Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, led by Caridad Diego Bello, and also mentions the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Josefina Vidal.
According to AICnoR, while those authorities call for "dialogue" meetings with officially recognized religious denominations and offer facilities to their representatives, Travieso Medina and Mariño González remain subject to restrictions that prevent them from traveling abroad.
The organization questioned that difference in treatment and argued that the freedom of movement of the two pastors "has been turned into a weapon of punishment simply for exercising their ministry and serving the most vulnerable."
In addition to the migration restrictions, the alliance reported a history of constant surveillance, summons, detentions, interrogations, confiscation, and demolition of properties related to their religious work, as well as pressure to leave Cuba and not return.
Another accusation pertains to an alleged campaign of discredit against Pastor Travieso Medina on social media.
According to AICnoR, fake profiles allegedly operated by State Security officials have spread posts intended to damage their reputation.
The organization mentions among them one known as "Geydao Fonseca," previously referred to as "Ssmuray de Cuba."
The alliance claims to have identified at least eight publications against the religious figure and states that the messages have become increasingly aggressive, although the statement does not provide elements that allow for independent verification of who manages those accounts.
"This offensive began precisely when authorities noticed that their ministry was providing breakfast to children and lunch to vulnerable individuals," the document states.
For AICnoR, the campaign aims to discredit the pastor and prepare potential actions against him. This is an accusation made by the religious organization that has not been independently verified.
In its statement, the alliance also questioned the response of the officially registered churches to the reports of repression against other religious groups and citizens.
"It is not enough to condemn cases like that of Anna Bensi and her mother (which we have also done and support), when repression also affects others," stated the organization.
The document urges religious leaders to speak out against smear campaigns and restrictions on leaving the country, warning that remaining silent in the face of what it describes as the systematic destruction of a pastor's reputation also constitutes a stance.
The alliance concluded its statement with a call for solidarity among congregations and religious communities, as well as for prayer and joint action in defense of those they consider victims of persecution.
Mario Jorge Travieso's accusations regarding pressure on independent churches in Las Tunas have public precedents that date back several years.
In May 2021, the religious leader reported a significant increase in harassment against his church, amidst reports of arrests, fines, and other pressures against evangelical pastors who are critical of the Government.
On that occasion, Travieso Medina explained that Pastor Alaín Santiesteban, associated with the ministry "Viento Recio," had received several fines from Urban Planning for placing a structure intended to shield attendees from the sun during worship services.
"All religious rights are being trampled in this nation," Travieso then declared to Martí Noticias, while denouncing the difficulties faced by independent congregations in carrying out their activities.
The report was revealed during the coverage of the detention of Pastor Yoel Demetrio from the Missionary Church in Cuba, also in Las Tunas, who had participated in vigils supporting dissidents and political prisoners.
A year earlier, in August 2020, Mario Jorge Travieso Medina was among the signatories of a letter addressed to U.S. congresspersons requesting the delivery of humanitarian aid sent from Miami and held by Cuban authorities.
The document, signed by representatives of religious organizations, opponents, and members of the exile community, demanded that the donations from the "Solidaridad entre Hermanos" initiative be delivered to their intended recipients in Cuba.
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