Published on: 16 November 2023
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo entered into fulltime ministry in 2001, first with the Open Bible denomination, then in 2009 as leader of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano. His congregation, numbering between 80 to 100 people, met in his home.
On July 11, 2021, Fajardo, along with his son and members from his church, joined in peaceful protests in his town. Similar demonstrations took place in cities across Cuba as a response to the government’s longstanding restrictions on rights, food, medicine, and the Covid-19 measures.
These anti-government protests were the largest demonstrations Cuba had seen since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The government responded to the peaceful protests by sending the Black Berets, a Cuban paramilitary force, into the crowds. During the protest, Fajardo was assaulted and placed in a chokehold by a Black Beret and then taken in for detainment.
More than 100 people, who took part in the protests, have been given lengthy prison sentences of between 6 and 30 years. The government argued that Pastor Fajardo was the organizer of the protests in Palma Soriano. This claim is false.
Fajardo was eventually sentenced to 7 years in prison for his religious leadership role.
Fajardo’s wife, Maridilegnis Carballo, lost her job soon after her husband’s arrest and has reported being threatened with arrest and imprisonment by government officers if she continues to be vocal about her husband’s imprisonment.
TIMELINE
2009: Pastor Fajardo labeled a “counter-revolutionary” by State Security Agents. As a result, government officials confiscated Fajardo’s property which served the dual purpose of both home and church building.
July 11, 2021: Detained by police after being forcefully attacked at the protest. Held for three days at an unknown location.
July 14, 2021: Transferred to Versalles, a facility in Santiago de Cuba. During the transfer, it was reported that Fajardo was severely beaten. According to a guard, the beating (which entailed repeated kicks to the head, face, and abdomen) was in retaliation for Cuban pastors taking to social media to vocalize the news of Fajardo’s arrest. Authorities provide Fajardo’s wife, Maridilegnis Carballo, with a handwritten paper stating that her husband will be charged with “disrespect, public disorder, and assault.”
July 17, 2021: Arbitrary detention without trial imposed based on the charges of criminal incitement, public disorder, disrespect, and assault. No documents outlining the charges given to Fajardo’s lawyer or family.
August 7, 2021: Transferred to Boniato Maximum Security Prison with a group of prisoners. The transferees were reportedly beaten and sexually assaulted upon arrival by prison inmates. Fajardo was not sexually abused in the attack.
October 2021: Fajardo’s wife and children visited their father face-to-face in prison for the first time since his detainment.
October 22, 2021: Family informed that the government plans to seek a 10-year sentence against Fajardo.
Dec 20 and 21, 2021: Trial held. Sentenced to 8 years in prison.
May 2022: Sentence reduced to 7 years.
June 2022: Appeal rejected.
December 24, 2022: Transferred to La Caoba Prison, a minimum-security prison in Palma Soriano.
June 4, 2024: The USCIRF report that Fajardo was severely beaten and abused in detention.
PRAYER NEEDS
Since his arrest, Pastor Fajardo has been subjected to violent and degrading treatment at the hands of police officers and prison guards. Pray that the Lord protects Fajardo during his remaining prison term. Ask that the Lord help him to forgive his enemies, filling his heart with the same love Jesus showed to those who cursed and beat Him.
Pray that Fajardo’s wife and children would be safe from the authorities who have threatened Maridilegnis with imprisonment. Ask that the Lord provide for their needs, both physical and spiritual.
Finally, pray that Fajardo would keep the joy of the Lord alive in his heart and that he would share the Good News of the Lord Jesus with every lost soul he meets in prison.
TAKE ACTION
Please encourage Pastor Fajardo as he serves his 7-year sentence. We urge you to write letters of encouragement and hope.
Letters can be sent to: (view Sample Letters here)
Prisoner, Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo
Prison La Caoba
Municipio Palma Soriano, 92610
Santiago de Cuba
Cuba
Be sure to sign your letter with your first name only. (Please read our Prayer & Action Useful Tips to familiarize yourself with important safety measures when corresponding with persecuted Christians in foreign countries.)
Address the envelop as follows:
We have a strong advocate in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington D.C. Write to the USCIRF today and encourage their diplomatic efforts on behalf of Pastor Fajardo and others like him who have been imprisoned in Cuba for taking a stand in the fight for religious freedom.
Send your letter to: (view Sample Letters here)
Chair: Rabbi Abraham Cooper
Address: 732 N. Capitol Street, N.W., Suite A714, Washington, D.C. 20401
