“We cannot remain silent in the face of the pain that we are all suffering at this moment in our history,” it states in an open letter
14ymedio, Madrid, October 6, 2026 – The Episcopal Church has joined the multiple Protestant churches that had expressed their support for the cause of influencer and activist Anna Sofía Benítez, known as Anna Bensi, through a statement published this Monday in which they also denounce the living conditions of Cubans and the growing inequality among them.
“As the Body of Christ on this earth, we cannot remain silent in the face of the pain that we are all suffering at this moment in our history,” begins the letter, published on the Church’s website and social media. The text is structured into five sections, the first of which describes what they call “our reality,” a panorama that speaks of migration that “tears families apart,” rising prices for basic products and increasing inequality.
Among its main concerns, it raises the lack of water, food and medicines, the “unbearable blackouts,” the deterioration of the healthcare and education systems despite the “titanic effort” of workers in both sectors, who continue to contribute their “vocation” despite everything. “These are not abstract realities, but rather they materialize in the lack of bread on the table, in sick people without treatment, in new generations without education and in mothers without hope,” it summarizes.
“These are not abstract realities, but rather they materialize in the lack of bread on the table, in sick people without treatment, in new generations without education and in mothers without hope”
The Episcopal Church, after citing a brief list of those that have already spoken out on behalf of Anna Bensi, expresses its “frustration and pain at the use of violence, intimidation and harassment by police forces against those who decide to raise their voices and demand their rights,” and cites the Constitution as the source of the right to freedom of expression.
“We are saddened by the suffering that these actions are causing in thousands of families, especially among young people. Silencing the voices of young people is silencing the present and future of the homeland. In the face of all this we say: enough! because we firmly believe that no Cuban should raise a hand against another Cuban, neither for political reasons nor for any other reason,” the text denounces. In the letter, the Church says it stands with the “weak and dispossessed,” as well as with those who suffer the consequences of expressing their discontent.
Although the appeal is “to the mercy of God,” so that the authorities will listen to the people, “whom they are called to serve and protect and not to continue asking for more sacrifices,” the letter is addressed directly to the Government. “Without any intention of confrontation, but rather of dialogue,” it emphasizes, before closing the text by highlighting the Church’s commitment to “serve and accompany” the people.
The letter is signed by Ángel Roberto Rivera Rodríguez, the ninth bishop of this denomination in Cuba, but it is endorsed by more than twenty reverends of the Church.
The case of Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, both identified as members of the Baptist Church, has sparked a wave of solidarity among a dozen Protestant churches on the island. Among them are the Baptist Convention of Western Cuba, the Evangelical Pentecostal Church (Assemblies of God), the Evangelical League, the Methodist Church, and many others that have spoken out through statements or open letters in support of the activist.
The letter is signed by Ángel Roberto Rivera Rodríguez, the ninth bishop of this denomination in Cuba, but it is endorsed by more than twenty reverends of the Church
Benítez and Silvente were tried last Thursday, October 1, for an offense against the honor of a State Security agent, who reported the recording and dissemination of images of him by both women when he went to their home to deliver a summons. The East Havana Municipal People’s Court in Cojímar found them guilty and verbally announced a sentence of two years of restricted freedom for each of them, the exact terms of which remain unknown until the official notification.
The case has been widely reported by the international press, which was even able – unusually – to be at the courthouse doors and collect statements from Anna Bensi. The activist has received support not only from Protestant churches but also from many other dissidents and Christians, such as Anthony Martínez, who was summoned this Monday to a police unit after having accompanied the influencer at the trial.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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