Cuban pastors Luis Guillermo Borjas and Roxana Rojas, associated with the Assemblies of God Church, were apprehended on the Isle of Youth following their involvement in a military trial concerning their son, Kevin Lay Laureido Rojas. He was charged with dodging the Mandatory Military Service.
During the proceedings, the pastors provided official medical evidence indicating their son's psychiatric inability to serve, as shared by Yaiset Rodríguez, a Biblical Studies student, on Facebook. Despite this, witnesses reported that the court dismissed the documents. Tensions escalated when the pastors refuted allegations that their claims were deceptive.
Pastor Borjas proclaimed that they were victims of injustice and cautioned the prosecutor about being accountable to "the justice of God." The prosecutor labeled his words as contempt and disobedience, leading to their arrest. The military prosecutor seeks an eight-year prison sentence for the couple, citing that "divine justice has no place in a military court," Rodríguez explained.
Roxana Rojas was released hours later due to medical reasons, as she suffers from a chronic heart condition requiring regular check-ups. Her husband, however, remained in custody in a police cell, isolated and deprived of food or family visits, 24 hours after his arrest.
Kevin, the young man in question, had been declared unfit for service by a medical board but was forcibly conscripted and subsequently fled the military center. He now faces a potential four-year prison sentence.
The official page of the Assemblies of God in Cuba issued a public call for prayers for the pastors and their son, expressing hope that this situation is a "misunderstanding." The incident has reignited discussions about the Mandatory Military Service in Cuba, a system associated with tragedies, suicides, and fatal accidents. Despite these outcomes, the 2023 Military Penal Code punishes those attempting to evade service with up to five years in prison.
Human rights organizations have denounced the criminalization of conscientious objection and the lack of transparency in military processes like the one confronting this pastoral family on the Isle of Youth. The trial against the pastors is set for June 9.
FAQs on Cuban Military Service and Legal System
Why were the Cuban pastors arrested?
The pastors were arrested after defending their son in a military court and expressing their belief in divine justice, which prosecutors interpreted as contempt and disobedience.
What are the consequences for evading military service in Cuba?
Under the 2023 Military Penal Code, evading military service in Cuba can result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
How does the Cuban public view Mandatory Military Service?
The Mandatory Military Service in Cuba is controversial, often criticized for being linked to severe consequences such as tragedies and fatal incidents.