Amid warm Caribbean breezes, Venezuela and Cuba, separated by nearly 900 miles (about 1,500 kilometres) of sea, share more than just the tropical climate. A sociopolitical and economic reality challenges the spirit and faith of the nations’ people. Despite their geographic, demographic and cultural differences, the common struggle of their citizens has woven a network of solidarity and hope that transcends borders.
Venezuela, once among the most prosperous nations in Latin America, has taken a drastic turn in the last decade, facing significant challenges due to the political situation, economic recession, and acute shortages of vital resources such as food, medicine and electricity.
As recently as the 1970s, Venezuela was ranked as the richest country in Latin America and among the richest globally. The country’s abundant oil supplies helped raise it to that level but falling oil prices along with reported economic mismanagement led to severe inflation and goods shortages, most notably in food, medicine and electricity. More than 7 million people have fled the country, which for many years has also faced international isolation.
Similarly, Cubans struggle with high inflation, low income, and power and food shortages. As with oil in Venezuela, the once-lucrative sugar industry is suffering. Freedom House classifies both countries as “not free,” and the nondenominational mission Open Doors lists Cuba among the 50 nations where Christians face the most extreme persecution.
“Church leaders or believers who speak out against human injustice or political corruption – or who dare to criticise the regime – risk interrogation, arrest, smear campaigns and even prison sentences,” according to Open Doors. “… Authorities can also target churches. Because churches require registration to be legal, the government can deny the registration or simply ignore the application of some religious groups, forcing these churches to operate illegally.”
The crises enveloping these countries have displaced many families, tearing apart homes and forcing young and old to emigrate in search of a better future. This exodus has left a deep mark not only on society but also on the spirituality of both nations. Even so faith like a beacon in the storm, guides many in their daily lives.
The Impact on the Church and Faith
Evangelical Christian churches have watched, as many of their parishioners and leaders have had to leave. In Cuba the youth have left behind increasingly aging congregations, while in Venezuela, physical distance due to lack of transportation and fuel to move has challenged the unity of the Christian community. Despite this the number of churches continues to grow, reflecting an insatiable thirst for teaching and discipleship.
Religious syncretism, especially in Venezuela with the growing influence of practices such as Santería, has added complexity to this spiritual environment. But even amid this diversity, the Christian message continues to spread with strength.
Annabel Torrealba, a Venezuelan native who serves as TWR international director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said, “Life in Venezuela was filled with challenges, yet it possessed certain comforts to the extent that God wasn’t deemed essential. However over the past 25 years, things began to shift. The infiltration of cults, predominantly practiced in Cuba such as Santería, started to seep into the country and governmental decisions altered the landscape dramatically. Amidst scarcity and all-encompassing crises, Venezuelans have drawn closer to God, searching for hope. Our mission to proclaim the Good News has found fertile ground. I would say that there are smaller churches but they are more widespread than before.”
The Radio: A Bridge of Hope
TWR national partners RTM* Venezuela and RTM Cuba have been pillars in the production of programmes for their own people as well as the rest of Latin America. The content disseminates messages of hope over the Bonaire transmitter.
Programmes such as Messages of Faith and Hope and Our Home and Worship are produced by RTM Cuba and transmitted from the powerful TWR transmitter on Bonaire. The content has been a light in the darkness for many. Furthermore, the ministry’s presence on digital platforms enables it to overcome the barriers that would be encountered on government-controlled radio stations, thereby connecting with the growing online audience.
For a long time, RTM Venezuela has been producing a wide variety of programmes in Spanish, many of which are distributed across Latin America. Among these programmes are Wonderful World of Prayer, Bible School, On Time, Road to Freedom, Dilemma Today, The Word That Heals, Awakening and Pedrito the Little Octopus.
These national partners also reach out with in-person ministry despite the economic and logistical challenges. RTM Venezuela, for example, contends with ongoing fuel scarcity when it schedules live presentations based on its highly popular Pedrito children’s programme. When the cast members travel to another city to perform, they must plan well in advance to acquire fuel to fill the van’s tank and then carry a reserve drum of fuel for the return journey. Even under difficult circumstances like these, RTM Venezuela and RTM Cuba have remained steadfast in their purpose.
Testimonies of Faith
Rafael, a listener in Cuba, contacted the response team to say the transmissions have been a blessing. “Listening to them, I have been able to acquire knowledge, clarify many doubts, and spend happy hours where I feel peace and rest in the Lord,” he shared with gratitude.
Maria Carla, also of Cuba, expressed her wish for the Word of God to continue blessing through the station. “Thank you for sharing the Word of God. Amen,” she said.
In Venezuela, Anabel from Margarita Island highlighted the importance of the radio in her spiritual life: “I don’t have a smartphone, but I listen to the station every day and don’t miss any of your messages.”
The Resilience of Faith
Adversity has not been able to extinguish the flame of faith burning in the hearts of Venezuelans and Cubans. Through the Word and teaching transmitted by RTM, many have found comfort and strength. The testimonies of Rafael, Maria Carla and Anabel are powerful reminders of how, even in the most difficult circumstances, faith finds a way to rise. As the psalmist says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
Moisés Pérez, director of RTM Cuba, said, “Being a Christian in Cuba comes with its own set of challenges. We cannot declare that there is open persecution against Christians, but the government’s stance is hardly favorable to the faith or the values of the kingdom of God. In the past, being a Christian was frowned upon by the government, and many believers were denied the opportunity to pursue certain university degrees because of their faith. This has now changed.”
With the significant change in Cuba’s political environment in recent years, Pérez added, the greatest challenge facing Christians is “to live in accordance with the faith we preach amidst the shortages we face.”
“Wages are so low that many must resort to illegal means to obtain food and medicine, and for the majority, emigration, primarily to the United States, is the solution,” Pérez said. “Yet being a Christian in Cuba has also afforded me the opportunity to experience living by faith and trusting in God to provide and sustain us in our needs. Although we cannot access media and have a public space, we find that people are receptive to the Gospel and open to being preached to there is a thirst for God’s Word in the country. Cuba continues to experience a beautiful harvest of souls surrendering to the Lord and yearning to serve him. God is answering our prayers in the midst of the largest emigration in Cuba’s history.”
A Common Song of Hope
The story of Venezuela and Cuba is a testimony to human resilience and the ability of faith to unite people beyond physical borders and political challenges. The radio and digital platforms have become catalysts for spiritual change, carrying messages of hope to those thirsty for words of encouragement. As night falls over the Caribbean Sea, the voices of Rafael, Maria Carla, Anabel and many others resonate, joining together in a common song of hope.
* RTM stands for Radio Trans Mundial, the Spanish and Portuguese equivalent of Trans World Radio.
