Cuban evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known on social media as "Christ's Herald," has expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the wave of support he received after being detained on Thursday near the Popular Municipal Court of Habana del Este in Cojímar. He was on his way to support activist Anna Bensi and her mother during their trial.
"I want to publicly thank God for the overwhelming support I received yesterday—so many gestures of solidarity, so much love, and so many good-hearted people who love God, love Cuba, love freedom, justice, and truth, could stand in solidarity with the injustice I faced with that arbitrary act of kidnapping in broad daylight," the pastor shared in a Facebook video.
The Arrest and Its Aftermath
According to Pérez Lora, his intention was merely to accompany the activist and her mother to the judicial process. However, he was intercepted by agents before reaching the court, handcuffed, and thrown to the ground before being placed in a police vehicle.
Following his arrest, Pérez Lora was brought before State Security officers. "After that detention, I was subjected to a very violent interview, with many threats, in which they wanted us to remain silent, to stop speaking out, but we will not be silenced," he asserted.
Threats and Intimidation
The pastor revealed that the pressure included direct threats against his family: "In my case, they were very harsh regarding my family and everything they could use to try to silence us."
Thursday's events were marked by repression. According to Cubalex, there were at least four arrests of people attempting to attend the court in support of the accused, including Pérez Lora's wife and activist David Espinosa Martínez with his wife.
Trial and Convictions
The trial concluded the same day with Anna Bensi and her mother being sentenced to two years of restricted freedom for "acts against personal and family privacy," an accusation stemming from recording and sharing on social media a video of a MININT agent who had come to their home.
Despite the threats, the pastor reaffirmed his resolve: "Our voice has not been raised by human desire, but by God's command. That's why we will not be silenced, because we understand that it is better to obey God rather than men."
Unity and Prophecy
In the video, he also highlighted the unity witnessed outside the court, with Catholics and evangelicals coming together in support of the convicted, describing it as the fulfillment of a prophecy regarding the awakening of the Cuban church.
Thursday's arrest marks the third time this year Pérez Lora has been detained. In March, he was arrested in Peñas Altas, Matanzas, after praying in a public space with Wi-Fi access and uploading a biblical video to YouTube; he was released about three hours later. In July, he was held for nearly 12 hours at the Alamar station alongside Anna Bensi and other members of the "Out of the Box" group.
The pastor concluded his message with a call for dissemination: "I want this message to reach the entire world, for many people to share this video, and for the world to know that in Cuba there are men and women of faith who openly, publicly, desire a free Cuba."
Understanding the Situation: Cuba's Religious and Human Rights Challenges
What led to the arrest of Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora?
Pérez Lora was arrested while on his way to support activist Anna Bensi and her mother at their trial. He was detained by state agents before reaching the court.
What were the charges against Anna Bensi and her mother?
Anna Bensi and her mother were sentenced to two years of restricted freedom for "acts against personal and family privacy," based on allegations of recording and sharing a video of a MININT agent on social media.
How does the pastor plan to respond to the threats and pressure?
Pérez Lora remains defiant in the face of threats, stating that his voice will not be silenced as it is guided by God's command, emphasizing the priority of divine obedience over human orders.