Cuban Pastor Jailed After Calling Christians to Pray — While His Daughter Is in Hospital
Maikel Pupo Velázquez cancelled a stadium prayer gathering when officials ordered him to. He was arrested the next day while telling people it was off
The short answer
According to The Christian Post, citing Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Pastor Maikel Pupo Velázquez of Sacred Blessing Word of Fire Church, an unregistered congregation in Camagüey province, Cuba, was arrested on 26 September 2026 and charged with disobedience after officials ordered him to cancel a public prayer gathering at Cándido González Morales Stadium. He had complied and was telling attendees it was cancelled. He was held for nine days at State Security headquarters without outside contact, then moved to La Cerámica Roja prison; his 16-year-old daughter is receiving cardiac treatment in hospital.
Pastor Maikel Pupo Velázquez did what Cuban officials told him to do. On 25 September they ordered him to cancel a public prayer gathering planned for Cándido González Morales Stadium in Camagüey. He agreed.
The next day, 26 September, while he was trying to let people know the event was off, he was arrested.
Where He Is Now
"Ordered to cancel a stadium prayer gathering, Pastor Maikel Pupo complied — and was arrested the next day while telling people it was off. He is in prison on a disobedience charge while his teenage daughter is in hospital for heart treatment."
Click to copy and shareAccording to The Christian Post, citing Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and his family, Pupo — pastor of Sacred Blessing Word of Fire Church, an unregistered congregation — was charged with disobedience. He was held for nine days at the Department of State Security headquarters without contact with the outside world, then transferred to La Cerámica Roja prison outside Camagüey City.
His 16-year-old daughter is in hospital receiving cardiac treatment at the Eduardo Agramonte Piña Pediatric Hospital — while her father is in prison.
It isn't his first detention. In July 2025 he was held after trying to deliver supplies to families of political prisoners.
"No Rational Justification"
"There is no rational justification for the decision of the Department of State Security to detain him for simply encouraging others of his faith to pray for Cuba," said Anna Lee Stangl, CSW's director of advocacy.
Why It Matters
The charge is disobedience, but the record says he obeyed. What he actually did was call Christians to pray for their country — publicly, in a stadium, in a nation where unregistered churches live under constant pressure. Pray for him, for his daughter's heart, and for a church that keeps praying for Cuba anyway. Our guide on how to pray for the persecuted church is a good place to start.
Ordered to cancel a stadium prayer gathering, Pastor Maikel Pupo complied — and was arrested the next day while telling people it was off. He is in prison on a disobedience charge while his teenage daughter is in hospital for heart treatment.
Biblical Perspective
Paul urged that "petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority" (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Calling a nation to prayer is an act of love for it. Scripture also promises that God hears the prisoner: "The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people" (Psalm 69:33).
"The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people."
— Psalm 69:33 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord, we lift up Pastor Maikel Pupo Velázquez in La Cerámica Roja prison. Strengthen him, protect him, and bring him home. Heal his daughter's heart and comfort his wife and family. Bless Sacred Blessing Word of Fire Church and every believer in Cuba who keeps praying for their nation. Soften the hearts of those in authority. In Jesus' name, amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›Prayer for a nation is never a crime in God's Kingdom!
- ›The Lord hears His captive people!
- ›Cuba will be covered in prayer!
Take Action
- 1Pray for Pastor Maikel Pupo and his 16-year-old daughter by name this week.
- 2Pray 1 Timothy 2:1–2 for Cuba's leaders.
- 3Share this alert so his case is known.
"A Cuban pastor cancelled a prayer event when ordered to — and was arrested the next day while telling people. Pray for Maikel Pupo and his daughter."
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Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
Why was Pastor Maikel Pupo arrested in Cuba?
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According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, reported by The Christian Post, Maikel Pupo Velázquez was arrested on 26 September 2026 and charged with disobedience after officials ordered him to cancel a public prayer gathering in Camagüey. He had complied and was notifying attendees of the cancellation when he was detained.
Where is Pastor Maikel Pupo being held?
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After nine days at the Department of State Security headquarters without outside contact, he was transferred to La Cerámica Roja prison outside Camagüey City.
Sources & further reading
- 1.Pastor imprisoned in Cuba for prayer event while daughter is in hospitalThe Christian Post
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people."
Psalm 69:33 (NIV)
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