Field tracker · Cuba · Latin America
Protestant pastor and 16-year-old son detained
Protestant pastor and 16-year-old son detained (Cuba)
Record details
- Location
- Cuba · Latin America
- Event type
- Arrest
- Coordinates
- 23.114, -82.367
- Accountable source
- CSW ↗
Related records
Pro-life Catholics decry pro-abortion ‘judicial activism’ from Mexico’s Supreme Court
Pro-life advocates in Mexico say the country's highest court has been gradually eroding legal protections for the unborn and conscience rights for medical professionals.
Mexico · AUG 02, 2026highWorld Day Against Human Trafficking: Women religious and Church networks stand alongside victims across Latin America and Europe
Madrid – According to the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration , around 50 million people worldwide are living in conditions of modern slavery, while human trafficking generates an estimated 236 billion dollars in illicit profits every year. Faced with a form of slavery that continues to evolve and take on new forms of exploitation, Church networks and religious communities are renewing their commitment to prevention, accompaniment and the defense of the dignity of victims of human trafficking. On the occasion of the World Day Against Human Trafficking, celebrated today, July 30, Church networks recall that behind this phenomenon lie the stories of people marked by poverty, violence, lack of opportunities and situations of extreme vulnerability. Children, women, migrants and displaced persons continue to be targeted by criminal organizations, which use deception, fraudulent job offers, threats and new digital tools to recruit their victims. According to the Global Report on Trafficking 2024, published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime , children now account for 38 percent of identified trafficking victims worldwide, compared with 20 percent two decades ago. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of identified victims increased by 25 percent, with particularly sharp growth among boys and girls. Among the contexts where vulnerability is increasing is the "Tapón del Darién", the dense rainforest region between Colombia and Panama that has become one of the main migration routes in the Americas. Along this route, thousands of people exposed to violence, lack of resources, and lack of protection become easy targets for trafficking and exploitation networks. Talitha Kum: A Church network present wherever vulnerability exists One of the Church initiatives working in these contexts is Talitha Kum, the network promoted by the International Union of Superiors General , which brings together women religious, collaborators and local organizations across the continents to prevent trafficking, accompany victims and support survivors. In 2025, Talitha Kum operated through 68 national networks in 113 countries. Its mission was carried out by 6,387 women religious and collaborators, a 5.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, with the participation of 882 female religious congregations and 100 male congregations. In Latin America and the Caribbean—a region facing structural challenges such as poverty, violence, organized crime, climate change and forced migration—Talitha Kum coordinates 14 national networks, working alongside women religious, young leaders and lay collaborators in prevention initiatives and in accompanying the most vulnerable. In 2025, representatives from twelve of these networks took part in the First Regional Talitha Kum Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening cooperation and the exchange of experiences in responding to new forms of trafficking. "Latin America and the Caribbean face complex challenges that increase the vulnerability of many people, yet we also recognize with hope the resilience and commitment present throughout the region," said Ana María Vilca Mamani, SNJM, Talitha Kum's Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. She stressed the importance of walking "in network and in synodality," strengthening integrated responses that combine prevention, protection, advocacy and accompaniment in order to promote the freedom, justice and dignity of every person. The scope of this mission is reflected in a significant figure: in 2025, initiatives promoted by the network reached 121 million people through awareness campaigns, education, prevention programs and accompaniment. Talitha Kum's international Coordinator, Sister Abby Avelino, MM, highlighted the evolving nature of the phenomenon. "Human trafficking continues to change, taking on increasingly complex forms," she said. Among the emerging challenges, she pointed to the spread of organized online scams that lure young people with false job offers before forcing them, through violence and intimidation, into participating in criminal activities. "Wars and conflicts, forced displacement, climate crises and growing inequalities continue to expose millions of people to trafficking because criminal networks exploit fear, vulnerability and desperation," she added. For Talitha Kum, the response must begin before exploitation occurs by strengthening prevention and accompanying people precisely where situations of risk first emerge. "Migration is a human right, but people must know their rights and understand the risks involved," Sister Avelino emphasized. Spain: A bridge between Latin America and Europe in the fight against trafficking Because of its historical, cultural and linguistic ties with Latin America, Spain has become a destination, transit point and place of accompaniment for many people arriving from the American continent. The connection between the two sides of the Atlantic illustrates how trafficking is a transnational phenomenon requiring coordinated responses. According to figures released by Spain's Ministry of the Interior, 1,869 victims of trafficking and sexual or labor exploitation—including 28 minors—received assistance in Spain during 2025. The data also point to an increase in cases linked to labor exploitation. Colombia continues to be among the principal countries of origin of identified victims. Alongside public institutions, numerous Church and civil society organizations are working to prevent trafficking and accompany survivors. In Madrid, for example, the Fundación Madrina has drawn attention to the particular vulnerability of mothers and children in migration contexts and to the link between child poverty and the risk of exploitation. According to Spain's Platform for Children, 33.2 percent of minors in the country are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Church networks stress that combating trafficking cannot be limited to rescuing victims after exploitation has occurred. It must begin with prevention, information, hospitality and the creation of pathways for recovery and reintegration. From Latin America to Europe, women religious, Christian communities and lay collaborators continue to accompany vulnerable people, defending the dignity of every human being and building networks of protection against new forms of slavery. "We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in Talitha Kum for their dedication and passion in seeking justice for those trapped in situations of exploitation," said Sister Oonah O'Shea, President of the International Union of Superiors General , encouraging religious congregations to continue supporting this ministry and to deepen their commitment to the fight against human trafficking. "Together we continue to build a world free from human trafficking, where every person can live in freedom and dignity."
Colombia · JUL 30, 2026mediumEvangelicals march in Chiapas to call for repeal of gender identity law
Hundreds of Evangelical Christians took part Saturday, July 25, in the Grand Citizens' March for Values in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The march wound through the streets of the state capital in opposition to amendments to the state's Civil Code approved by the Chiapas Congress on June 30 that allow adults to change the gender marker on their official documents through an administrative process
Mexico · JUL 28, 2026mediumArchdiocese of Bogotá brings aid and hope to Cuba: “The Cuban people need us and ask for our support”
Bogotá – The Archdiocese of Bogotá has carried out a humanitarian and evangelizing mission in Cuba, accompanying the communities of Guanabacoa and Regla, in Havana, with material assistance, spiritual support and a message of hope. The mission, the Archdiocese of Bogotá's Communications Office reported, took place from 17 to 20 July and was led by Vicar Rubén Darío Hernández, Episcopal Vicar for the Territory of St. Peter, and Fr. Ricardo Pulido, Director of the Diaconia for Integral Human Development of the Church of Bogotá. They were joined by Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, Archbishop of Havana; Redemptorist missionary Fr. José Manuel Araya; and Sisters Bernardina Montero and Concha Torres of the Congregation of the Love of God. During the visit, medicines, glasses, dental hygiene kits, food and other essential supplies were distributed to individuals and families in need. Liturgical materials were also delivered to Cuban parishes. Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez expressed his gratitude for the missionary presence, describing it as a visible sign of communion between the Churches. "This is a poor and fragile Church, like many Churches that suffer from a shortage of missionaries and priests. Yet it is fertile ground for the Gospel," he said. "The purpose of this mission is to be the outstretched arms and hands of Jesus Christ, accompanying, comforting and proclaiming the Word of God to a people who have been deeply wounded and tried," explained Fr. José Manuel Araya, a Redemptorist missionary serving in Cuba. "They need us to bless them and to celebrate the Holy Mass with them." Despite the many hardships, he added, "one can sense the people's patience—a patience sustained by faith." Sister Bernardina Montero, who has served in Cuba for more than 25 years, highlighted the daily struggles facing Cuban families. "Today, the Cuban family lives under constant pressure, fighting simply to stay afloat and survive the many hardships that affect them every day," she said. She stressed the importance of a missionary presence close to the people: "A door-to-door mission is immensely valuable. We have not come only to remain inside the church building; we have come to be with the people." For the religious sister, Christian witness today begins with a fundamental message: "Helping people understand that they are not alone, that we are here to make Christ present in their lives and to walk beside them, even when the journey is painful and some of the situations we face are difficult to understand." The Sisters of the Congregation of the Love of God carry out their mission primarily in education and social outreach. "Our way of evangelizing is through education," explained Sister Concha Torres, who pointed to the growing challenges related to food insecurity and access to medicines. "There is so much to be done in social ministry. At present we face enormous difficulties because of the country's situation, especially regarding food. We share, as best we can, what Caritas provides us, as well as medicines, which are among the most urgent needs today," she said. At the conclusion of the mission, Episcopal Vicar Rubén Darío Hernández stated: "In this brief mission, we brought everything we could. We celebrated the Eucharist immersed in a reality where water, electricity, fuel and many other basic necessities for a dignified life are lacking." Yet, he added, "we also found what matters most: hope. We witnessed joy." The Episcopal Vicar of St. Peter concluded with an appeal to continue the missionary commitment: "We hope that in 2027 we will be able to send even more missionaries, because the Cuban people need us and are asking for our support, both material and spiritual."
Cuba · JUL 27, 2026