Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo of Regla, Cuba, released after three months in detention over protest

Cuban authorities released Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo on September 11 under precautionary measures, according to reports from CBN and CiberCuba. CBN identifies him as a 58-year-old leader of the Communion Church in Faith in the municipality of Regla, Havana province. CiberCuba describes him as a Protestant pastor and leader of the Church of Communion in the Faith in Regla. One CiberCuba dateline gives the year as 2026 and the CBN dateline gives 2025, so the year of the release should be confirmed against additional reporting.

According to CBN, Padrón Lorenzo was arrested on June 10 and accused of public disorder after confronting government officials he considered to be misinforming the public about prolonged service interruptions. CiberCuba reports that he was arrested at the intersection of Camilo Cienfuegos Streets and February 24 in Regla during a neighborhood protest over prolonged blackouts and food shortages. In that account, he shouted “Down with the dictatorship” and confronted the head of the local Criminal Investigation Department (DTI). The two reports differ on the circumstances of the confrontation and on what he said, and this article does not resolve that difference.

CiberCuba reports that two days after the incident, authorities summoned him to the police station in Regla and notified him of charges for contempt of the first public figure and public disorder. CBN reports only the public disorder accusation. Neither account describes a trial or a verdict. The charges have not been dropped, and his case remains pending.

Both reports state that he was held incommunicado for more than three months. CBN says he was held at the El Vivac Detention Center in Havana. CiberCuba says he was moved to El Vivac and then transferred to the Valle Grande prison on June 27, where he remained until his release.

Padrón Lorenzo suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. CiberCuba reports that the condition was aggravated during his confinement, that he lost significant weight, and that he could not eat properly. CBN quotes him describing the conditions of his detention as “very difficult” and saying that being separated from his family was especially painful. Protecting those who cannot easily defend themselves, as Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for, is a concern that applies to the treatment of detainees whose health is at risk.

Under the conditions of his release, authorities ordered Padrón Lorenzo to sign at the police station twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, while he awaits trial, according to both reports.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CiberCuba calls it Christian Solidarity World) confirmed his release and celebrated it. The organization said he should never have been arrested and that the conditions imposed on him were unfair and unnecessary.