In a candid response, Cuban priest Alberto Reyes Pías, who serves as the parish priest in Esmeralda, Camagüey, made it clear where his true hope lies. When questioned about Donald Trump's statement at the UN—"freedom will come to Cuba"—Father Reyes firmly stated, "My hope is not in Donald Trump, it is in Jesus Christ."
This statement was part of an interview with Tania Costa broadcasted live following Trump's address to the 81st General Assembly of the UN, where he labeled Cuba as a "completely failed state" and declared that "communism will never come to America, but freedom will come to Cuba."
External Assistance: A Welcome but Limited Solution
Father Reyes Pías does not dismiss external aid but approaches it with caution. "Any assistance we can receive from outside Cuba is very welcome," he noted. Yet, he expressed skepticism rooted in decades of unmet promises, stating, "I hope that Donald Trump's words are more than just words."
A Belief Beyond Politics
Despite the international political landscape, the priest's optimism is grounded in a belief that transcends it: the inherent unsustainability of the Cuban system. He drew on a historical analogy to emphasize his point, saying, "The Roman Empire was the Roman Empire, and it ended. Today, the Roman Empire is history. This system in Cuba must end; it must end because it is unsustainable, because human beings need freedom, they need it."
Endurance of the Human Spirit
Reyes Pías asserts that no people can remain oppressed indefinitely. "You can keep a people oppressed for 10 years, 20 years, 70 years, but there comes a time when it can no longer be endured," he explained.
Known for his active voice in Cuban political and social matters, Father Reyes Pías regularly publishes a column titled "I've Been Thinking." His most recent piece, released on September 19, conveyed the message that "no evil is eternal." He has faced citations and threats from State Security multiple times and has been subjected to acts of repudiation.
Response to Trump's UN Speech
Trump's speech at the UN prompted an immediate reaction from the Cuban regime. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla dismissed Trump's statements as "falsehoods" and "slanders," leading the Cuban delegation to walk out during that part of the speech.
Father Reyes concluded his reflections by invoking a quote from dissident Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, founder of the Christian Liberation Movement and the driving force behind the Varela Project, who died in 2012 under circumstances his family and opposition groups attribute to the regime: "The night will not be eternal."
This phrase also serves as the title of Payá's posthumous book, published in 2018, which encapsulates his thoughts on peaceful resistance and liberation in Cuba. By citing it, Reyes Pías aligns his message with the legacy of faith in change that Payá represented.
"Whatever happens, whether they act or not, I believe we cannot lose hope that the night is never eternal," concluded the priest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Father Alberto Reyes and Cuba's Future
What is Father Alberto Reyes's stance on external aid to Cuba?
Father Reyes Pías is open to receiving external assistance but remains cautious, emphasizing the importance of actions over words due to past unmet promises.
How does Father Reyes view the sustainability of the Cuban system?
He believes the Cuban system is inherently unsustainable and draws parallels with the fall of the Roman Empire to illustrate that no oppressive system can last indefinitely.
What was the Cuban regime's reaction to Trump's speech at the UN?
The Cuban government dismissed Trump's statements as falsehoods and slanders, prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out during his speech.