Identified alleged agent implicated in the arrest of a pastor attending Anna Bensi’s trial

The Cuban newspaper reported that an alleged agent of the State Security was identified in connection with the arrest of Pastor Rolando Pérez Lora. Pérez Lora, known as Pregonero de Cristo, was attempting to accompany Anna Bensi during her court appearance in Havana. The arrest involved agents of the National Revolutionary Police and State Security, as reported by the newspaper on October 8, 2026.

The Facebook page Nio Reporting a Crime claimed to have received exclusive information through a complaint, identifying Ariel Casalio as one of those responsible for Pérez Lora’s arrest. The page described Casalio as an alleged member of State Security. However, the identity of the individual and his alleged involvement remain unverified. The platform published a photograph of a man wearing a motorcycle helmet and a black shirt, which could potentially be Casalio, as the image aligns with the description provided.

Pérez Lora was among at least four individuals arrested on October 1, 2026, when they sought to express solidarity with Anna Sofia Benítez Silvente and her mother, Caridad Silvente. The arrests also included the wife of the pastor, Baptist leader David Espinosa, and his partner. According to testimonies, agents of the National Revolutionary Police physically subdued Pérez Lora before handcuffing him.

The arrests were accompanied by reports of increased police surveillance, threats, and restrictions on leaving homes for journalists and activists. These measures, according to the allegations, aimed to prevent others from attending court to support the two women. The trial of Anna Bensi and her mother concluded with a two-year limitation on their release. Judge Zamira Marrero Morgado sentenced them for a case involving the recording and dissemination of images of a police officer dressed in civilian clothes while delivering a summons from State Security.

Following the trial, Anna Bensi posted a video on her social networks. In her message, she thanked those who supported her, reaffirmed her religious convictions, and expressed her trust in God throughout the process. The incident highlights the broader context of state surveillance and restrictions on free expression in Cuba, raising concerns about the treatment of activists and religious leaders. The case underscores the need for accountability and justice, as emphasized in Proverbs 31:8-9, which calls for standing up for the rights of the oppressed.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)