Only ninety miles off the Florida Straits lies an island that stands as one of the last champions of communism. In 1959, Fidel Castro came to power threatening Cubans with socialism or death. In the 1960's, Castro labeled Catholics and Protestants "social scum" and forced both laypeople and clergy into labor camps under inhumane conditions.

Originally, Cuba was set up as an atheist state.  In 1992 the constitution was changed to call it a "secular" state that guaranteed freedom of religion. However, that did not necessarily mean full freedom in actual practice. In 1999 evangelistic crusades were held for the first time since 1959. However, there were also reports of thousands of Bibles being burned that same year.

In 1998 the Pope was allowed to visit and in 2000 religious holidays were reinstated; actions which produced a certain amount of optimism. However, observers report a return to Communist orthodoxy.

In June 2003, the Cuban Parliament approved amendments to the constitution, making communism "irrevocable."  According to Zenit, the Communist Party released a document in April 2003 calling on its members to work against the influence of the Catholic Church, specifically calling for "depapalization."

In its Spring 2005 report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom states that crackdowns on religious freedoms had increased in 2004. While religious restrictions in Cuba do not warrant the designation as a "CPC" (Country of Particular Concern), the country remains on the Commission’s Watch List because of violations of religious freedoms either tolerated or instigated by the government.

Church registration and state approval are required to build or renovate church buildings.  Those organizations which do not maintain close ties with the governement do not receive the necessary approval. As a result, house churches are common; most of which are unregistered and therefore illegal. If there is a complaint against them, eviction or imprisonment could result.

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