Priest Alberto Reyes: "Fidel sowed shamelessness in Cuban politics."

The priest Alberto Reyes, known for his critiques of the Cuban regime, published an analysis on Facebook in which he demystifies the figure of Fidel Castro and attributes to him the responsibility for establishing the "culture of shamelessness" in the politics and society of Cuba.

Reyes is drawing from Alina Fernández Revuelta's memoirs, Castro's daughter, to explain what she defined as "the charm of audacity" of her father.

According to the Father, that quality—initially presented as daring or character—actually concealed a pattern of behavior rooted in a lack of respect for the dignity, rights, and sensitivity of others.

Shamelessness as a Method of Power

The priest not only demystifies the figure of Fidel Castro but also poses a greater challenge: to cleanse the roots of a nation marked by a legacy of deceit, violence, and shamelessness that has become political norm.

Reyes argues that this attitude was what Fidel used to connect with the people: "He spoke of freedom and democracy while weaving the threads of a dictatorship; he promised to reject communism while preparing for its establishment; he claimed not to aspire to the presidency, yet he remained in power indefinitely."

The parish priest mentions some of the main deceits of the leader: the promise to give land to the peasants, which was followed by the nationalization of nearly all agricultural property; the offer of decent housing for every family, which was never fulfilled; and the assurances of economic prosperity, which have been contradicted by the crisis.

He also cites violent acts ordered by Castro, such as the sinking of the tugboat 13 de Marzo in 1994 and the shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue planes in 1996, events that reveal the gap between his humanitarian rhetoric and his government, which was characterized by repression and violence.

Beyond the personal figure of the dictator, Reyes warns that his greatest legacy was institutionalizing audacity as a way of governing. A trait that became the foundation of the Cuban political structure.

"Shamelessness is not a good trait for governing a country, and even less so for perpetuating it as a system. Unfortunately, Fidel not only treated this people with shamelessness, but he also managed to plant it in the political roots of those who govern us, and we will have to work very hard for the roots of our nation to be healthy again one day," he emphasized.

Below, CiberCuba shares the full text of the publication:

I have been thinking… (126) by Alberto Reyes Pías

I have been thinking about the construction of a myth III

When Alina, the daughter of Fidel and Natalia Revuelta, describes in her memoirs how Fidel was able to win over Mirta Díaz-Balart, the 'jewel' of high society in Banes, she says: 'Fidel had the charm of brazen audacity.'

Shamelessness is the attitude of a person who disregards the dignity, rights, and sensitivities of others. It is someone who focuses solely on their goals, who goes straight for what they want and takes it, even if it means trampling over those in their way, doing so without respect and without hiding; boldly, but looking others in the eye.

And yes, audacity can have its charm, the charm of the 'tough' person, limitless, capable of getting what they want at any cost… but it's a short-term charm. In the long run, people eventually realize that it's an uncivilized attitude, and the partner becomes disillusioned, friends drift away, and admirers turn into detractors. But over time.

This is the process we have experienced, because Fidel treated this people with audacity.

He spoke of freedom and democracy, of the need to end Batista's dictatorship, while weaving the threads to establish what is today the longest-lasting dictatorship in the hemisphere and one of the longest in the history of humanity.

He repeatedly and publicly declared his rejection of communism and stated that his goal was not the presidency of the Republic, while he was establishing the necessary ties to implement Marxist doctrine in Cuba and entrench himself in power.

He promised to end large estates and give land to the farmers, and dismissed as a 'stupid fear' the comment that the industry would be nationalized, only to place almost 80% of the country's arable land and all private companies, whether Cuban or foreign, under state control.

He promised that he would build each family a 'decent home' and that Cuba would achieve unprecedented economic development, and as reality increasingly contradicted his words, he insisted more that the people trust in his promises.

He criticized the lack of principles of rich nations while progressively and deeply indebting the country through loans that were requested and never repaid.

He continuously condemned the inhumanity of capitalism, but under his orders, the vessel XX Aniversario was sunk in the Canímar River, resulting in the deaths of 56 people, including children; by his command, the tugboat 13 de marzo was sunk, leading to the deaths of 72 individuals, including children, and he ordered the downing of the aircraft of Hermanos al rescate, which resulted in the deaths of 4 people.

He criticized endlessly the 'interventionism' of the great nations, while sending thousands of Cubans to wars in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and Cuba became the training ground for all the guerrillas in Latin America.

He spoke at length about the lack of values among 'capitalist' youth, while generation after generation the anthropological damage intensified, destroying the ability to identify and respect the boundary between good and evil.

No, shamelessness is not a good attribute for governing a country, and even less so for perpetuating it as a system because, unfortunately, Fidel not only treated this people with shamelessness, but he also managed to institutionalize it, to embed it in the political roots of those who govern us, and we will have to work very hard for the roots of our nation to be healthy again one day".

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