In a last-minute move, officials in Granma have canceled a Christian walk in Manzanillo that was scheduled for Thursday, notifying Reverend Pastor Manuel Remón of the decision only hours before the event was to take place.
Local Christian community members took to Facebook to express their frustration over the cancellation, openly questioning the consistency of the authorities in their decision-making.
The unfolding of events adds a layer of intrigue to the situation: since Sunday, the community had in hand a document signed by top municipal authorities granting approval for the event. On Tuesday, the permit was confirmed with a minor adjustment in the gathering location. However, by Wednesday, authorities abruptly rescinded the approval without offering any explanation.
"It's perplexing that such a decision would be made just hours before the event," states a message from the Facebook user Los Saavedra SURL Manzanillo, a local microenterprise. The statement, while respectful, urges authorities to be "more analytical and consistent" and criticizes their lack of transparency: "If there was never a genuine intention to allow this act of love, faith, and prayer, it would have been more straightforward to deny it from the start."
The community has called for a prayer chain for the leaders, hoping that God grants them wisdom, empathy, and discernment. "Christ taught us to love and forgive, even in the most challenging times," they remind.
In a follow-up post, Los Saavedra SURL clarified that the cancellation was not initiated by municipal authorities but rather at the provincial level.
"This is not about assigning blame or defending one group to accuse another; it's about presenting the facts impartially, without bias, and ensuring emotions don't lead us to incorrect judgments," the post explains.
The publication reflects on the country's current hardships, asserting that amid such challenges, the Church offers a message of salvation, restoration, forgiveness, and new life through Jesus Christ.
"The intent of this walk was never to impose a religion or confront anyone. We aimed to share a message of love, hope, and transformation. When a family finds Christ, when someone overcomes addiction, when a home is restored, or when hope is rekindled, society as a whole benefits," they emphasize.
This incident is part of a documented pattern of the regime suppressing religious expressions on the island. In the Bayamo-Manzanillo diocese alone, religious activities during the 2024 Holy Week were canceled.
In 2025, the government prohibited the Palm Sunday procession in El Vedado for the second consecutive year and banned the historic Christ of Humility procession in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, a tradition over a century old.
In 2026, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) recorded between 87 and 140 monthly violations of religious freedom in Cuba: 139 in May, 122 in July, 140 in August, and 137 in September.
Evangelical pastors have faced direct arrests. Pastor Maikel Pupo Velázquez was detained in late September in Camagüey after calling Cuban churches to public prayer for Cuba, charged with "disobedience."
In October, the Alliance of Unregistered Cuban Churches reported reprisals against pastors from the "Viento Recio" ministry, including travel restrictions, surveillance, and interrogations.
Understanding the Cancelation of Religious Events in Cuba
Why was the Christian walk in Manzanillo canceled?
The Christian walk was canceled by provincial authorities without providing any explanation, despite prior official approval and confirmation.
What pattern of behavior by the Cuban regime does this incident reflect?
This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of the Cuban regime's repression of religious expressions, as documented by numerous canceled religious activities and recorded violations of religious freedom.
How has the Christian community responded to the cancellation?
The Christian community has responded by calling for a prayer chain for the authorities, hoping for divine wisdom, and emphasizing their commitment to love and forgiveness.