“If you shout, I shout”: The powerful message from the Mexican priest expelled from Cuba after supporting the people

The Mexican priest José Ramírez (known as “Padre Pepe”), a member of the Congregation of the Mission, sent a message expressing solidarity with the Cuban people and stated his readiness to face the consequences of his stance.

After the Cuban regime informed the Catholic Church of its decision not to renew its temporary residency, which implies leaving the Island, he wrote to a Cuban friend a message expressing his support for the people.

“Whenever you go out, I go out. If you shout, I shout,” wrote the religious figure in a message to a Cuban friend.

In the same message, he stated that "the time has come to be consistent" and "to show that I was with them," adding that he accepts what happened: "if their actions have consequences, so do mine, and I am willing to accept what occurred."

He closed by asking for strength "so that one day our Cuba may be free."

The regime's retaliation would be linked to an episode that occurred at the La Milagrosa temple in Santos Suárez (Havana): the priest allegedly rang the bells while neighbors protested against the blackouts.

The expulsion comes after a video of the activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa went viral on Facebook on December 8, in which the sounds of pots being banged by residents can be heard along with the ringing of church bells.

Furthermore, Martí Noticias confirmed the retaliation and added that State Security agents directly pressured the priest, who —according to that account— will have to leave Cuba and return to Mexico this Thursday.

The incident occurs during a "wave of protests", driven by "abusive" blackouts, shortages, and the collapse of basic services, while the regime responded with repression and internet disruptions, according to the document.

The expulsion occurs in a context of growing tension between the regime and critical voices within the Catholic Church, such as priests like Lester Zayas, Alberto Reyes, Kenny Fernández Delgado and José Conrado Rodríguez Alegre, as well as the religious Sister Nadiezka Almeida, figures who have denounced the national crisis and the lack of freedoms, provoking irritation in the Government.