Cuban priest Alberto Reyes Pías recently shared the 157th installment of his Facebook series, "I've Been Thinking," titled "I've Been Thinking About the Long Road to Freedom." In this post, he urges the Cuban people to resist what he describes as a dictatorship upheld solely by force and fear.
"We are living in a crumbling nation, with a stagnant economy and endless blackouts that sap energy from the soul—a country where nothing progresses, nothing blossoms, and people languish waiting for a solution that never arrives," wrote the priest from Esmeralda, Camagüey.
Current Energy Crisis in Cuba
This reflection comes amid the worst energy crisis Cuba has faced in decades. On Wednesday, the Electric Union reported a nearly 2,000 MW generation deficit, with a maximum real impact of 2,113 MW. Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy admitted that Cuba "has absolutely no fuel, no diesel, only accompanying gas."
Dictatorship's Fragile Foundation
Reyes directly targets the political core of the issue: "Our dictatorship stands solely through the use of force, repression, and fear, as the deception is exposed, and the lie of a 'people's revolution' no longer holds."
Despite the grim situation, the priest remains hopeful, asserting that eventually, the dictatorship will fall.
"The stagnation we live in prolongs our people's agony, but at the same time fuels the undying yearning for freedom, the yearning that drives each one of us," he stated.
Challenging the Revolutionary Narrative
The priest further criticizes the revolutionary project: "The Revolution came only to subjugate this people, to create an island of slaves serving an elite that does not care about us."
Drawing historical parallels, Reyes argues that no dictatorship is eternal, recalling figures like Hitler, Eastern European communism, apartheid, Trujillo, Stroessner, Noriega, Somoza, and Duvalier—all once deemed unmovable, but now relegated to history.
For Cuba, he believes that while authority can subdue, the illusion has died in the hearts of the people, who only pretend to survive.
Call to Action
Reyes closes with a direct call to action: "At this moment, silence is not an option; sitting idly by, waiting for others to take initiative, is not an option. We've endured too much, and there's no sense in continuing to die while shouting slogans."
Reyes' outspoken stance is not new nor without consequences. In January, State Security summoned him and Father Castor José Álvarez Devesa for an official warning. In February, during a visit to Hialeah, Florida, he reported experiencing "harassment, surveillance, and veiled death threats."
The repressive backdrop described by Reyes is supported by numbers. Prisoners Defenders reported a historical record of 1,260 political prisoners in Cuba in May, including 35 minors and 142 women.
In March, Reyes had already warned that Cuba is "a pressure cooker that could explode at any moment," and in April, he questioned whether sustaining a system that denies dignified living and basic rights constitutes a "crime against humanity."
Insights on Cuba's Political and Energy Crisis
What are the main points of Father Alberto Reyes' critique of the Cuban government?
Father Alberto Reyes criticizes the Cuban government for maintaining power through force and fear, labeling the revolution a deception that has failed to benefit the people. He calls for action against the dictatorship, which he believes is unsustainable.
What is the current energy situation in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with a generation deficit of nearly 2,000 MW and no reserves of fuel or diesel. This has led to prolonged blackouts and a significant impact on daily life.
How has the Cuban government responded to Father Reyes' statements?
The Cuban government has responded to Father Reyes' statements with measures like summoning him for official warnings and reportedly subjecting him to harassment and threats.