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The Cuban priest Alberto Reyes shared an old joke that describes how one arrives at communism. The story explains that it was necessary to take a train, which faced many setbacks that the passengers themselves had to resolve with their own resources until they had nothing left.
Reyes, recognized as one of the most critical voices against the regime at the center of the Catholic Church, used history to illustrate what has happened in Cuba on its "path to communism." The country is practically a desert: without electricity, hardly producing anything, and lacking security in food, health, and education.
The worst part is that the government does not seem to realize this and maintains its triumphalist rhetoric of a bright future while everything is falling apart and everyone who can leave, is leaving.
The Camagüey parish priest wonders how much longer the dictatorship will maintain its charade and attempt to convince the people that the leaders will be able to revive the country.
Next, CiberCuba shares the complete text of the post on Facebook.
I have been thinking… (103)
I have been thinking about a self-fulfilling prophecy
Years ago, the saying 'the train to communism' was told as a joke.
It was said that one day the town was invited to board the train that promised to take them to communism.
The people, filled with excitement, boarded the train, which kept moving forward until the coal reserves for the boilers that powered it began to dwindle. With no more coal available, they were asked to remove the seats, the windows, and anything that could serve as fuel for the train, allowing it to continue on its way. However, that fuel also ran out, so they were instructed to throw their luggage into the boilers, which propelled the train a little further, until everything was consumed. The only thing left to burn was their own clothing, which everyone did, allowing the train to advance a bit more until it finally came to a stop, having no fuel left.
Upon getting off, they found themselves facing an immense desert and began to walk, naked, in the midst of that void. One of the individuals approached one of the leaders and asked, "Hey, when will we reach communism?" To which the other calmly replied, "We have already arrived."
For years, we have heard about 'option zero,' that moment when we would have to 'resist and overcome' (of course) with absolutely no resources. And well, it seems that we have finally achieved it; we have arrived at option zero, that moment when this train that promised us a paradise has left us exposed and in the middle of a desert, in a paralyzed country, energetically unviable, where it is practically impossible to produce anything, and where there is no security for anything—neither for food, nor for health, nor for education, not even for life—subject to an unprecedented citizen uncertainty.
From power, however, they seem not to have realized this. Their speeches either suffer from a schizophrenic triumphalism, or overflow with a pathetic victimhood, or simply place blame on the population that they have led to ruin, yet now it turns out that this population is guilty of not having defended the revolutionary gains or is incapable of becoming involved with the necessary fervor to fight yet another battle against windmills.
How long are we going to keep playing with heroic ideals and a bright future while the country is paralyzed and falling apart, with everyone who can escape fleeing, and those of us who remain living in the circular precariousness of surviving day by day? How long are we going to maintain the theater of a fervently 'revolutionary' people? How long will they try to convince us that those who govern us today will be able to revive the country?
We were always told that 'the Revolution does not abandon its children', but what they never explained to us is that we, the people, are not its children. We are its slaves, we are its hostages, those who were used to seize power and those who continue to be used so that they can try to bring to life a train that has, as its horizon, nakedness and desert.
How long? When will a worthy voice arise to recognize the truth and allow this people to show that they are capable of offering everyone a different life?
Frequently asked questions about Alberto Reyes' critiques of the Cuban regime
What does Alberto Reyes criticize about the Cuban regime?
Alberto Reyes criticizes the lack of freedoms and fundamental rights in Cuba, as well as the manipulation and repression that the government exercises over its people. He denounces the situation of misery, the scarcity of resources, and the hopelessness that prevails on the island.
What is Alberto Reyes' proposal to change the situation in Cuba?
Alberto Reyes proposes to encourage change through civic action, expressing the truth and avoiding support for the regime. He urges Cubans to fight for justice and freedom, and not to wait for change to come passively or over time.
How does Alberto Reyes describe the current situation in Cuba?
Alberto Reyes describes the situation in Cuba as critical, with a system that has brought the country to a terminal state. He highlights the repression and manipulation of the regime, the lack of basic resources, and the desperation of the people living in precarious conditions.
What does the metaphor of the train to communism symbolize according to Alberto Reyes?
The metaphor of the train to communism symbolizes the unfulfilled promise of the regime, which has left the Cuban people in misery and abandonment. Reyes uses this image to illustrate how the revolutionary ideal has brought the nation to a state of paralysis and precariousness.
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