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The Cuban priest Alberto Reyes Pías published a profound message on his Facebook profile, urging his fellow countrymen to stop living "in fear" and to begin building a free, democratic, and prosperous Cuba.
At a time when many Cubans feel a mix of hope and fear following recent events in Venezuela, Reyes emphasizes that the time has come to "hold our heads high" and confront the dictatorship that has kept the country under control for more than six decades.
Reyes starts from an observation shared by many Cubans: the hope for a radical change that would put an end to the dictatorship, but also the fear that paralyzes the population.
It points out that, although "Cuba is a disaster," many have become accustomed to surviving amid difficulties—from the search for food and medicine to dealing with power outages and daily repression—and have learned to navigate this repressive system with resignation.
This situation contrasts with the uncertain future that many desire, but also fear.
The religious leader warns that Cubans have learned to "live submerged in the night" of oppression, even becoming accustomed to the constant insecurity and the lack of opportunities for their children.
In his reflection, he criticizes the government for using lies and empty rhetoric to manipulate the hopes of the people while reality continues to deteriorate relentlessly.
"Aren't we already fed up with living in misery, in need, in a lack of opportunities? Aren't we tired of being manipulated and having our minds filled with lies and empty rhetoric? Aren't we weary of speaking with fear, acting with fear, and living in fear?" he questions.
"We want a change of system, we long for a different society, a different life, but we don't know what is coming, we have no idea how to build that new life, and it scares us..." he emphasizes.
Despite this, Reyes' response to fear is a direct call to action: "This is not a time to be ensnared by fears, this is not a time for passivity and silence," he wrote.
For him, now is the time for what he calls "creative hope," a concept that invites the reclamation of fundamental rights and the exercise of the right to a society free from fear and repression.
Reyes emphasizes that change requires courage and determination, not passivity.
Use a powerful image to convey your message: the transition to a new Cuba, though painful like childbirth, is necessary. "Life must be pushed forward; we must endure the pains of labor and bring forth the newborn," he states, referring to the new society that many Cubans long for.
Additionally, the priest encourages his fellow countrymen to express their thoughts without being silenced by fear, to pray for a union of the necessary forces to achieve freedom, justice, and truth.
In his words, there is no room for resignation: "Let us not allow insecurity to lead us to think that evil will have the final say," he emphasized, underscoring that no darkness can endure without being overcome by light.
The message from Reyes adds to other reflections from the religious leader that have resonated on social media and independent outlets, where he has denounced the oppression of the Castro regime and called on his fellow countrymen to take action to build a different, just, and democratic Cuba.
This call for awareness and courage comes at a time when many Cubans have expressed their rejection of the prevailing political system and their desire for deep and lasting change.
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