Cuban priest Alberto Reyes, a vocal critic of the government, has announced that he will ring his church bells 30 times each night the electricity is cut off as a protest against the prolonged blackouts that torment the population.
Reyes, the parish priest of the Diocese of Camagüey, expressed his personal initiative on his Facebook wall to draw attention to the crisis that plunges the Cuban people into "the suffocation and sinking of our lives."
"I will ring the church bells 30 times, with the slow toll of funeral processions, with the toll that announces death and mourning: the agonizing death of our freedom and our rights," he stated.
The independent portal 14ymedio shared a video on its Facebook profile taken at the parish of Esmeralda, where the slow tolling of the bell, as promised by Father Reyes, can be seen and heard.
It's worth noting that Reyes is responsible for 14 rural parishes in the Diocese of Camagüey, one of the provinces that has reported the most blackouts in recent days, according to an interactive map created by CiberCuba.
Understanding the Blackout Protests in Cuba
To provide more context and insights on the blackout protests in Cuba led by Father Alberto Reyes, we have compiled some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why is Father Alberto Reyes ringing the church bells?
Father Alberto Reyes is ringing the church bells 30 times each night to protest against the prolonged blackouts and to draw attention to the crisis affecting the Cuban population.
How has the government responded to these protests?
As of now, there has been no official response from the government regarding Father Reyes' protests. The situation remains tense as the blackouts continue to affect the population.
What impact have the blackouts had on the Cuban population?
The blackouts have had a severe impact on the Cuban population, causing widespread discomfort, disrupting daily life, and exacerbating the ongoing economic and social crises in the country.