Cuba Releases Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo After Three-Month Detention Over Alleged Public Disorder

Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo, a 58-year-old leader of the Communion Church in Faith in the municipality of Regla, Havana province, was released on September 11 under precautionary measures. He had been held incommunicado for more than three months at the El Vivac Detention Center in Havana.

His arrest occurred on June 10, when he was accused of public disorder after confronting government officials whom he considered to be disinforming the population about prolonged interruptions in basic services. Cuba has experienced electricity cuts throughout the island since last year, alongside serious shortages of food, medicine, and other essential goods.

Padrón Lorenzo, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, described the conditions of his detention as “very difficult.” He noted that the food was “almost impossible to eat” and sometimes in bad shape. He stated that being separated from his family was especially painful and that he suffered a great deal during his confinement.

The pastor reaffirmed that his statements were an expression of indignation at the crisis affecting the Cuban population. He clarified that his remarks were not directed against any particular person, stating, “What I shouted loudly there did not mention names and was not directed at anyone in particular, but at a government structure.”

Padrón Lorenzo acknowledged that he expressed his indignation out loud and concluded his words with the phrase “Down with the dictatorship.” He maintains that the accusations against him are unjust and continues to reject them.

Despite his release, Cuban authorities have ordered him to sign twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, while awaiting trial. The charges against him have not been dropped.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) celebrated the release but assessed that Pastor Padrón Lorenzo should never have been arrested and that the conditions imposed on him were unfair and unnecessary. Anna Lee Stangl, Incidence Director and Team Leader of the Americas at CSW, stated that freedom of expression is a fundamental right and that no one should be arrested or imprisoned for speaking peacefully on behalf of his community. The pursuit of truth and justice in the face of institutional power reflects the call for mercy and accountability found in Micah 6:8.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)