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Cuban priest Kenny Fernández Delgado denounced threats from agents of the Cuban State Security after inviting worshippers to hold a family prayer event in parks across all cities for Cuba and Venezuela this Saturday, August 3, starting at 10:00 AM.
"At around 9:45 p.m., almost an hour ago, I received a call from an Immigration official for an appointment at 19 and K right at 10:00 a.m. Later, a Lieutenant Colonel called to tell me that there will be consequences if I don’t go. No matter what happens to me, we will all stay united, praying," wrote the Cuban religious leader from his profile on the social network X.
In that same post, he warned that “this call does not depend on me at all, but on each person's conscience. And I also tell you that I am willing to follow Jesus Christ: Until the End!”
A little later, from his own profile, Fernández Delgado reiterated his intention to move forward with his call. “In every city, in every park. And no matter what happens, count on my prayers and those of the Cubans,” he stated.
On Thursday, the parish priest, in a statement on Facebook, said that "praying in a park is not prohibited" and invited everyone to join in prayer "without signs, without slogans, without any leader other than Jesus Christ, and above all, without fear."
The call to prayer allows for flexibility, so that each person can pray in their own way, whether in silence or using familiar prayers such as the rosary.
"Jesus Christ will help us if we ask him with faith," affirmed the parish priest, using the hashtag #LetUsPrayAsAFamily to promote the initiative.
Fernández Delgado's call to action was scheduled for the same day that thousands of Venezuelans mobilized, both inside and outside the country, in a massive protest against the alleged electoral fraud committed by Nicolás Maduro in the recent elections.
The demonstrations, which took place in several cities around the world this Saturday, aim to denounce the lack of transparency and demand the acknowledgment of the true winner, Edmundo González.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado addressed thousands of demonstrators who gathered at Plaza Las Mercedes in Caracas, despite the increasing repression, conveying a message of hope and resilience.
Despite the strong protests and allegations of fraud from the opposition, Venezuela's National Electoral Council (CNE) confirmed on Friday the victory of Nicolás Maduro in last Sunday's elections, with 96.87% of the ballots counted.
Countries such as the United States, Costa Rica, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, and Uruguay have recognized González as the legitimate elected president of the nation.
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