Miami, United States. – In the midst of the deep crisis that Cuba is going through, the Catholic priest Alberto Reyes, who works in a rural community of Camagüey, offered his vision of the present and future of the country in An interview with Martí News. In his statements, he addressed the hope of Cubans to political changes in the United States, the inaction of the regime and the role of the Church in assistance to the most vulnerable.
“People have hope in Trump, but the solution is in our hands”
Reyes said that within Cuba the arrival of Donald Trump To the White House, since many people believe that their government could lead to a change in the island. “On the street what is most heard is: ‘We hope it helps this to end,” explained the priest. However, he warned that the transformation of the country cannot depend on a foreign leader. “It is we who must assume the challenge of transforming our reality. However, it is undeniable that people believe that with Trump things could change, ”he said.
“A stagnant and disconnected regime of the people”
The priest also referred to the position of the Cuban regime, describing it as “a government in a state of stagnation.” According to Reyes, the lack of concrete measures to address the crisis is a sign that the authorities do not have a clear strategy or simply prefer not to act. “We do not know if it is because they do not know what to do or because they prefer to do nothing, but the truth is that there is no real will to find solutions,” he said.
In addition, he pointed out that the government “does not seek to unlock the crisis, just survive and continue to take advantage of power, regardless of that the people sink more and more.” In his opinion, there is “a total disconnection between the regime and the reality that Cubans live.”
The Church, a shelter in the midst of the crisis
As for the role of the Catholic Church in the current context, Reyes stressed that, in addition to its spiritual work, it has had to assume a role of social assistance to supply some of the most urgent deficiencies of the population. “The Church continues to fulfill its main mission: evangelize, form and accompany spiritually. But the crisis forces us to extend our work, ”said the priest.
As he explained, some communities have opened dining rooms to help the most needy, although the resources are limited. “We can only offer one meal a week,” he said, noting that waiting lists to receive food are getting longer. “For many Cubans, that only weekly food is the best they can have.” In addition, he highlighted the Church’s efforts to get medications and assist the sick, although he acknowledged that “the demand far exceeds what we can offer.”
“The health system is at a critical point”
Reyes also addressed the collapse of the Cuban health system, denouncing the serious shortage of medicines and supplies in hospitals. “The lack of medications is alarming. There are no essential drugs for blood pressure, diabetes or basic antibiotics, ”he warned. In addition, he mentioned that many surgeries are postponed due to lack of resources. “This is no longer just a crisis, it is a humanitarian disaster. We need urgent help, ”he emphasized.
Despite the difficult situation that the country is going through, the priest urged Cubans not to lose hope and to contribute to change with small daily actions. “Let’s not lose hope. This will not be eternal. Evil cannot persist forever, ”he said. In his message, he urged the population to “live in the truth, not support the system that crushes us and take small steps towards freedom.”
Finally, Reyes said that democracy and prosperity will arrive in Cuba, but insisted that it is everyone’s responsibility to build them. “The change does not occur from one day to another, but each action counts,” he concluded.
