Why Doesn't the Cuban Regime Step Down? Father Reyes Offers Insight

In a revealing conversation with Tania Costa, Cuban priest Alberto Reyes, who serves as the parish priest in Esmeralda, Camagüey, presents two compelling theories to address a pressing question on many Cubans' minds: why does the regime refuse to relinquish power despite the country's complete collapse?

Father Reyes first suggests that sheer arrogance might be a factor. "It could be an absurd pride, the kind that stubbornly declares 'nobody can remove me from here.' It’s a foolish arrogance because while the world crumbles around you, you cling on as if it makes any sense," he explains.

The second hypothesis, which Father Alberto Reyes finds potentially more disturbing, is the possibility that the leaders are clueless about how to step down. "Sometimes I wonder if they simply don't know how to do it. They are so ensnared in their own trap, tangled in their web, that they can't figure out how to say 'this is over,'" he reflects.

In his comments to CiberCuba, Father Reyes acknowledges that surrendering would require a level of humility that is hard for them to muster. However, he insists that holding onto power is illogical. He uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate his point: "They've boarded the wrong train, and the longer they wait to get off, the worse it will be."

According to Father Reyes, dismantling the regime's economic rationale isn't particularly difficult either. Responding to the journalist's questions, he recalls how, for decades, the ruling elite enjoyed tangible benefits—hotels, medical missions, support from China, Russia, Eastern Europe, and Venezuela. But by 2026, these sources have either dried up or significantly diminished. "They don't have any new source to exploit because, at this moment, they have no savior," he bluntly states, concluding that the smartest move would be to negotiate an exit. "We transition, relinquish power, and that's it."

Nevertheless, the priest identifies impunity as the key factor explaining the regime's resistance. "In communism, they are like gods, untouchable. No matter what happens, they remain unquestionable. The communist system allows you power without accountability," he notes. Unlike democracies, where no leader is above the law, the totalitarian system ensures its leaders never face consequences for their actions.

Yet, Reyes warns that even this incentive has lost its appeal: "At this point, even that is no longer enough."

The interview took place a day after Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly, labeling Cuba as a "completely failed state" that will "fall" and declaring that "freedom will come to Cuba," as reported by Reuters. The Cuban delegation walked out of the room during this part of the speech.

Father Alberto Reyes delivers his analysis against the backdrop of a Cuba in freefall. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) forecasts a 6.5% GDP contraction for 2026, with other estimates reaching 10.3%. The inflation rate isn't any better, hitting 25% year-on-year in August, alongside a record 1,339 political prisoners.

In August, Father Reyes had stated that Cubans’ outcry "is not for aid, but for change." Despite facing direct pressure from the regime, including being summoned by State Security for a warning act in January 2026 in Camagüey, he continues to publish his weekly column "I've Been Thinking." The 175th installment, released recently, was aptly titled "No Evil is Eternal."