On Sunday, State Security agents appeared in Havana and detained Pastor Jatniel Pérez in the midst of a worship service, according to an urgent prayer request posted on social media by pastors Michel and Yamilet.
Arriving in patrol car 110, the agents claimed the detention was simply a "20-minute immigration interview," vowing to return the pastor before the 10:00 a.m. worship service.
In addition to demanding his passport, the agents instructed Pérez to bring along his mobile phone, which he had left at home, and it was confiscated, at least temporarily.
"State Security agents (Political Police) just came to take Pastor Jatniel Pérez under the pretense of a brief immigration interview, promising to bring him back for the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Notably, they also required him to bring his mobile phone, which was confiscated, although temporarily," wrote pastors Michel and Yamilet.
Pérez returned to the Temple on Avenida 26 at 11:56 a.m. Cuban time, as confirmed by the alert's initial reporters.
Religious Repression in Cuba
Despite his release, the denunciations persisted. "Once again, they chose a Sunday, a day of worship and ministry, to summon and disrupt a pastor's work, a tactic repeated various times," the pastors emphasized.
Jatniel Pérez serves as the national president of the William Carey Biblical Seminary and is the senior pastor of the reformed Baptist church "Centro Bíblico Crecer."
This isn't the first instance of harassment by State Security; in November 2021, he was summoned for questioning twice within the same week.
This incident is part of a systematic pattern of religious repression documented in Cuba.
Earlier this year, Pastor Rolando Pérez Lora was detained in Matanzas while en route to church, and in April, another pastor was arrested for praying in a public space, a case publicly denounced by U.S. Chief of Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer.
In May 2025, two pastors from Isla de la Juventud were detained after defending their son in a military trial, with the prosecution demanding eight years in prison for both.
The scale of the issue is evident: The Christian Alliance of Cuba recorded 996 repressive actions against religious leaders in 2024, while the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights reported 873 violations of religious freedom in 2025 and 231 in February 2026 alone.
Open Doors ranks Cuba 24th on its 2026 World Watch List for persecution.
"The recurrence of these actions against religious leaders, especially on days of worship, remains unacceptable and a cause for serious concern. We will not stay silent in the face of oppression and will continue to support, spotlight, and pray for our brothers in Cuba," concluded pastors Michel and Yamilet.
Understanding Religious Persecution in Cuba
What was the reason given for Pastor Jatniel Pérez's detention?
State Security agents claimed the detention was for a brief "20-minute immigration interview."
Why is religious repression a concern in Cuba?
Religious repression is systematic in Cuba, with numerous documented cases of harassment and detention of religious leaders, particularly during worship services.
How has the international community responded to religious persecution in Cuba?
Figures like U.S. Chief of Mission in Cuba, Mike Hammer, have publicly condemned cases of religious persecution, bringing international attention to the issue.