Father José Conrado Rodríguez Alegre, the parish priest of Trinidad in Sancti Spíritus and a prominent critic of Cuba's communist regime, encapsulated the Cuban people's sentiment during a recent interview with Tania Costa. He referenced a phrase he has heard for decades: "Cousin, living like this is worse than death."
The 75-year-old clergyman, with fifty years in priesthood, shared his perspective amid the protests erupting in various Havana neighborhoods on May 13 and 14. These demonstrations, triggered by power outages lasting up to 22-24 hours a day, represent the largest wave of protests since July 11, 2021.
The Unspoken Need for Change
Father Conrado, reflecting on the past 25 years, spoke of a "silent and unanimous agreement" among Cubans on the urgent need for change, noting that this desire has only grown stronger. "Currently, it's the outcry in the hearts of Cubans: we cannot continue like this; this must change," he declared.
Nevertheless, he pointed out that this demand for change "is not echoed in the hearts of the regime," which continues its rhetoric of resilience and future projections with outdated narratives. "They don't have a future, but they refuse to acknowledge it. They are stuck in the language of 60, 50, 40 years ago," he asserted.
A Shift in Public Consciousness
The priest also highlighted a qualitative shift in public awareness: "People yearn to live differently. They've realized it's not just food they're missing; it's freedom too." He described this awakening as "unbeatable," emphasizing that more Cubans are realizing their need to actively engage in change, succinctly put in street language: "no more."
To explain the delay in taking action, Father Conrado used another popular saying: "Everyone wants a funeral, but no one wants to provide the body." He clarified that this phrase isn't a critique of the people but a depiction of the real risks they face: "People know they could face 5, 10, 15, 20 years in prison merely for speaking out, not for taking over a barrack."
Echoes of Desperation
The conversation's most poignant moment came when Father Conrado recounted a phrase his cousin told him about 25 years ago after sharing her troubles: "Cousin, living like this is worse than death." He stated, "I've heard this from countless people," adding, "This is the current reality for the Cuban people. Living like this, no, no, no, it's impossible to live like this."
Just two days before the protests, on May 12, Father Conrado met with Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, at the San Francisco de Paula church in Trinidad. The protests covered areas such as San Miguel del Padrón, Luyano, 10 de Octubre, Santos Suárez, Nuevo Vedado, Marianao, and Playa, featuring banging pots and roadblocks in response to a historic 2,113 MW power deficit on May 13.
In parallel, the U.S. State Department offered $100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba, to be channeled through the Catholic Church. Initially, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rejected this offer, though he softened his stance on May 14.
Father Conrado concluded his remarks by highlighting the impending actions stemming from this newfound awareness, leaving a warning that the Cuban people's desperation has now exceeded their fear.
Understanding the Cuban Crisis
What triggered the recent protests in Cuba?
The protests were sparked by prolonged power outages lasting up to 22-24 hours daily, which have exacerbated the already dire living conditions in Cuba.
Why is Father Conrado a significant voice in Cuba?
Father Conrado is recognized as a critical voice against the Cuban regime due to his long-standing advocacy for change and his connection with the people's struggles, providing a moral and spiritual perspective on the situation.
How has the Cuban government responded to international aid offers?
Initially, the Cuban government, through Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, rejected the U.S. offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid, although this stance was later softened.