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The Mexican priest José Ramírez (known as "Father Pepe"), a member of the Congregation of the Mission, sent a message expressing solidarity with the Cubans and stated that he is willing to face the consequences of his stance.
After the Cuban regime informed the Catholic Church of its decision not to renew its temporary residence, which means their departure from the Island, a message to Catholic journalist Rachel Diez expressing his support for the people.
“If you go out, I go out. If you shout, I shout,” the religious figure wrote 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 he 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 will be free."
The regime's retaliation would be related to an incident 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 occurs after a video of the activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa went viral on Facebook on December 8, in which the sounds of pots from the residents are heard along with the ringing of the church bells.
Furthermore, Martí Noticias confirmed the retaliation and added that State Security agents directly pressured the priest, who —according to that account— must leave Cuba and return to Mexico this Thursday.
The event takes place during a “wave of protests”, driven by “abusive” blackouts, shortages, and the collapse of basic services, while the regime responded with repression and internet interruptions, 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, causing irritation within the Government.
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