MIAMI, United States. – The current Christmas could be “the worst” that the Island has faced since 1959, warned Cuban priest Alberto Reyes in an interview with Martí News. The energy crisis, the lack of food and medicine, as well as the mass exodus of citizens and the existence of more than 1,000 political prisoners, make up an uncertain panorama that directly affects the celebration of this traditional date, formally restored in 1998 after the visit of Pope John Paul II.
Reyes, who grew up in the 1970s marked by an environment of “persecution and ridicule” toward believers, noted that current circumstances surpass the hardships of past times. “Not only is it the worst Christmas since 1959, but perhaps in our history, both because of the precariousness (…) and because of this moment of so much uncertainty,” said the priest.
Likewise, he explained that the uncertainty lies in the impossibility of envisaging a political and social change capable of alleviating the living conditions of Cuban families.
Despite threats of arrest and acts of repudiation against him, the Catholic priest has preferred to remain on the Island and raise his voice. He argued that Christmas, defined by a message of “joy and hope,” comes to a country mired in “blackouts, scarcity and difficulty finding anything stupid,” which makes it impossible for many to receive Christmas Eve with joy. In addition, he regretted the situation of a large part of the population who does not see any improvement for next year.
Given the role of the Government in this crisis, the priest criticized the lack of will of the authorities to improve the conditions of Cubans. “How is it possible that the people they verbally claim to care for, protect, defend, are being plunged into so much misery and do nothing to (…) improve?” he questioned.
He added that, although repression and surveillance are constant, this is not a peaceful life for the leaders either, who, in his opinion, must live “on alert” due to the fear that social protests could overflow.
About people imprisoned for political reasonsReyes expressed: “The first thing I would say is thank you. Thank you for having raised your voice, for having had the courage to go out into the streets and shout what everyone thinks.”
The Camagüey priest also recognized the hardness of spending Christmas behind bars and emphasized the importance of avoiding resentment. To maintain hope, he appealed to faith in God and the inner strength of Cubans. “When Christ was on the cross, he began to pray that psalm that we already know how it begins (…). “In reality, it is not a psalm of distrust,” he stressed, highlighting that trust and perseverance could eventually lead to the longed-for “full freedom.”
