Father José Conrado Rodríguez Alegre, the parish priest at San Francisco de Paula church in Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, delivered a powerful message of peaceful resistance to Cubans amid the widespread protests that erupted in Havana on Wednesday night—the largest since July 11, 2021.
In a conversation with CiberCuba journalist Tania Costa, the 75-year-old priest, who has dedicated half a century to his vocation, invoked the legacy of Gandhi to articulate his ethical stance against the regime's oppression: "I am willing to die, but I am not willing to kill. They will not force me to kill because that is not who I am. However, no one can stop me from dying for the cause I believe in, for the truth I know is true."
Father Conrado directed his appeal to those still in Cuba following the protests in San Miguel del Padrón, Santos Suárez, Playa, and Nuevo Vedado, which were triggered by power outages lasting up to 24 hours and a record electrical shortfall of 2,113 MW.
Call for Peaceful Defiance
"Place yourselves in the hands of the Lord. Do not allow yourselves to be continuously oppressed as has happened so far. Do it peacefully," was his advice to the people.
The priest didn't shy away from acknowledging the physical threat posed by the regime: "We must be clear and prepared. We must suffer for the truth we believe in, while trusting in God, who is stronger than any human power." He added bluntly, "They can kill, they can kill."
Father Conrado cited the Cuban national anthem, La Bayamesa—"to die for peace is to live"—to reinforce his belief that the willingness to sacrifice for a just cause is ingrained in Cuban identity, though he clarified that no one should seek martyrdom.
The Human Side of Resistance
"No one should desire martyrdom. Personally, I never have. I love life. I enjoy living and cherish the friendship and affection of my friends and family," he stated.
In a rare admission of vulnerability among critics of the regime, the priest openly acknowledged his fear: "I am afraid. Otherwise, I wouldn't be a normal human being. Humans fear. But God does not fail. The Lord does not fail."
He explained that his strength comes from his love for the people: "What truly makes me happy is the people, their affection, loyalty, and friendship, which gives me the strength to keep fighting. But because I love them, I must fight."
The interview took place two days after Father Conrado met in Havana with Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, who described him as "a strong voice that reflects his love for the homeland."
In February, when Hammer visited the priest in Trinidad, the regime retaliated by organizing three acts of repudiation against both the priest and the diplomat within 24 hours.
Father Conrado has been a vocal critic of the regime for decades, having penned open letters to Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, Vladimir Putin, and Pope Francis, in which he questioned the papal silence on the repression following July 11th protests.
Understanding Father Conrado's Message of Peaceful Resistance
What was Father Conrado's main message to Cubans?
Father Conrado urged Cubans to embrace peaceful resistance, stating his willingness to die for his beliefs but not to kill. He emphasized the importance of not allowing oppression to continue and encouraged trust in God.
How did Father Conrado express his stance on martyrdom?
Father Conrado made it clear that while he is prepared to sacrifice for a just cause, he does not desire martyrdom. He values life and the relationships he has with friends and family.
What motivates Father Conrado to continue his struggle?
Father Conrado's motivation comes from his love for people. Their affection, loyalty, and friendship provide him with the strength to persist in his fight for truth and justice.