Evangelical Resistance in Cuba: A New Book Explores Non-Violent...

Qué pasó

The book "Hoz y Cruz: Evangélicos, resistencia no violenta y el último régimen totalitario de Occidente (2000-2025)" has been published by Ediciones Memoria and Ediciones Homagno. Written by journalist and writer Yoe Suárez, the 828-page work reconstructs over two decades of non-violent activism within evangelical communities in Cuba.

It was recognized with the Manuel Márquez Sterling Award for Non-Fiction Literature 2025. Suárez began his research in 2018, coinciding with technological and political shifts in Cuba, such as increased mobile internet access and constitutional reforms.

Dónde y cuándo

The book covers the period from 2000 to 2025, focusing on events within Cuba. The research specifically intensified from 2018 onwards, observing changes in the public sphere where evangelical churches gained more visibility.

The author's perspective is from exile in the United States, but the narrative centers on the experiences and actions of evangelical communities operating within Cuba during this timeframe.

Por qué es importante

"Hoz y Cruz" introduces the concept of the Evangelical Civic Movement (MoCE), defined as the coordination of peaceful, organized actions within the evangelical community between 2018 and 2022. This movement responded to state policies and had a significant impact on Cuba's public sphere.

The book highlights how these actions, including signature collection campaigns and protests, demonstrate a growing capacity for civic engagement from diverse social sectors, particularly religious ones, in challenging political scenarios.

Qué dicen las partes

The book details campaigns like signature collections against constitutional reform and protests at judicial institutions. Suárez notes that some initiatives gathered tens of thousands of signatures.

The author also discusses what he perceives as unequal treatment of different religious expressions based on their political stances, with certain religious voices achieving greater public visibility than others.

Qué viene ahora

Suárez argues that Cuba's recent history cannot be fully understood without considering the role of diverse social actors, including religious communities. The book reflects on citizenship's role in scenarios of political transformation.

The publication comes amid reports of religious freedom restrictions in Cuba and increased institutional pressure on religious communities, suggesting ongoing tensions and the continued relevance of these themes for understanding Cuba's future.