Pastor Luis Guillermo Borjas and his wife, Roxana Rojas, are facing potential imprisonment in Cuba after being charged with disrespecting and disobeying authorities. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the couple’s legal troubles began after they invoked their religious beliefs during a military tribunal for their son.

Kevin laureido Rojas, the couple’s son, had reportedly left a military facility, despite not being fit for service due to a medical exemption. He had been conscripted into mandatory military service, which is required for all Cuban males at the age of 18.

During the tribunal,Pastor Borjas and Roxana Rojas presented documentation from a medical commission outlining their son’s psychiatric condition. However, according to a CSW press release, the situation escalated when the prosecutor accused the couple of providing false evidence.

“When the military prosecutor accused the couple of lying and presenting false evidence, Pastor Borjas protested, stating that the officials in the court would be accountable to ‘God’s justice’. The prosecutor then ordered the couple to be detained and charged, claiming that it is illegal to mention God or God’s justice in a military tribunal,” CSW explained.

The prosecutor is seeking an eight-year prison sentence for both Pastor Borjas and Roxana Rojas. Their trial is scheduled for June 9th, and CSW is advocating for their immediate release.

CSW also reports that Roxana Rojas, who has a heart condition, was hospitalized after being detained. While in the hospital, she was allegedly harassed by an individual in civilian clothing who falsely claimed to be a nurse.

International Advocacy Group Calls for Release

“CSW calls on the Cuban authorities to immediately drop the criminal charges against Pastors Luis Guillermo Borjas and Roxana Rojas…”

Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy, has urged Cuban authorities to drop the charges against the couple. “It is unacceptable that a simple reference to their religious beliefs in response to the military’s unjust treatment of their family shoudl be criminalized, and even more unconscionable that the government would seek an eight-year prison sentence,” stangl stated.

Stangl also called on the international community to pressure the Cuban government to respect freedom of expression and freedom of religion.

Cuba is currently ranked 26th on the Open Doors World Watch List 2025, which identifies countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.

The Open Doors World Watch List notes that while Cuba’s ranking has improved in recent years, this is primarily due to worsening conditions in other nations. “Cuba’s humanitarian crisis grew worse this year,as mass protests against the government’s repressive regime continued and action against dissidents increased,” the organization states. “Church leaders and Christian activists who speak out against human rights abuses and support protestors are still targeted. These leaders often face hostility, including arbitrary arrest.”

Another Cuban religious leader, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo, was previously imprisoned for over three years for protesting human rights violations. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), Rosales Fajardo was arrested after participating in protests against the Cuban government.

Rosales Fajardo, who led the Monte de Sion Self-reliant Church in Palma Soriano, was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges including criminal incitement and public disorder.

He was eventually released along with other political prisoners after the Biden governance removed Cuba from the U.S.State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reported that Rosales Fajardo was subjected to violence and degrading treatment following his arrest.