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The repression by the Cuban government against members of the Catholic Church was once again evident this Friday, when priests Alberto Reyes and Castor José Álvarez Devesa were summoned by State Security in Camagüey.
The call reflects a pattern of pressure on religious leaders who defend human rights and freedom of expression on the Island.
In a message shared on Facebook, journalist Eugenia Gutiérrez reported that both priests were summoned today without any stated reason. "We are on hold, awaiting further news," she said.
For his part, the writer Osvaldo Gallardo González specified in another message that the priests would be questioned separately.
"Father Castor is being interrogated at this moment. Father Alberto will be interrogated at 5:00 PM," he detailed.
Father Castor José Álvarez Devesa, known as Father Castor, has been an uncomfortable voice for the Cuban regime.
He was arrested and beaten by the police during the protests on July 11, 2021, for protecting a 14-year-old young protester.
Antonio Rodiles, leader of the independent organization for debate, thought, and activism Estado de Sats, has emphasized Castor's support for his people and his defense of Cuba's freedom through love and truth.
"He is convinced that turning a blind eye to the suffering of the people is contrary to what the mission of the Church should be," he stated.
The priest has consistently spoken out against state oppression and has advocated for free elections.
In 2018, he traveled to the Vatican with other priests to deliver a letter advocating for democratic freedoms in Cuba, including the demand for free elections.
For his part, Father Alberto Reyes Pías, parish priest in Esmeralda, Camagüey, has consistently engaged in activism to defend the dignity and rights of the Cuban people.
His commitment is reflected in symbolic initiatives such as the announcement he made in May 2024, to ring the church bells 30 times every night there is a blackout, as a form of protest against the energy crisis affecting the population.
From his regular column on Facebook "I've Been Thinking," he denounces the hardships and lack of solutions from the government in response to the people's misery.
These citations demonstrate a pattern of systematic harassment by the regime towards religious leaders who exercise their right to express legitimate criticism and to denounce injustices.
The pressure on members of the Church not only undermines religious freedom but also aims to silence any voice that could articulate democratic demands within society.
The fact that two recognized and respected priests are cited arbitrarily highlights the government's intolerance towards dissent within the Church, a space that has historically served as a refuge for social criticism and the defense of fundamental rights.
The situation raises alarm among the faithful and the international community, highlighting the tension between faith and state repression on the island.
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