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The Cuban priest Alberto Reyes raised his voice firmly against the repression in Cuba, denouncing the escalation of violence by the regime's forces in a context of increasing popular discontent within the island.
"Never is it time to repress the one who speaks the truth, never is it time to strike and imprison the one who asks for freedom," wrote the religious figure in a post on Facebook, which has resonated among Cubans both inside and outside the country.
In his reflection, Reyes starts from a central idea: the necessity of interpreting the "signs of the times," that is, understanding where Cuban society is headed amidst a prolonged crisis. He explained that these signs are becoming increasingly evident and indicate a people exhausted after more than six decades of political control, scarcity, and lack of freedoms.
The Camagüey parish priest describes a reality marked by citizen frustration: spontaneous protests and a growing rejection of the system. On the streets, he explains, discontent is no longer concealed, and the hope for change has made its way among the population.
On an international level, it also indicates an increase in pressure against the regime, which reinforces the perception that the Cuban political model is experiencing a moment of structural weakness.
However, in the face of this erosion of power, Reyes warns of a concerning phenomenon: the hardening of repression.
"The attitude against the people is increasingly violent and irrational," he denounced, referring to practices such as constant summons, threats, beatings, arbitrary detentions, and even the use of force against unarmed civilians, including minors.
The priest particularly emphasizes the actions of the repressive forces, which he accuses of acting with complete disconnection from social reality and without awareness of the consequences of their actions. He warns that those who are currently repressing the people could face justice tomorrow in a scenario of political change.
In one of the most powerful passages of his message, he expresses: "Peoples not only tend to remember very well the faces of those who have harmed them, but they also seldom forgive them."
Reyes argues that the system has lost legitimacy and that its unpopularity is evident, even to those who uphold it through force. Therefore, he makes a direct appeal to those involved in the repressive apparatus to reconsider their role at this critical moment.
"It is time to renounce everything that harms the people, it is time to support the civilian population, it is time to join the popular demand for democracy and freedom," he concluded.
The words of the Father join a growing chorus of voices within Cuba that denounce repression and demand profound changes in the political system.
In a country where expressing critical opinions can come at a high cost, statements like those of Alberto Reyes reflect not only bravery but also the rising social discontent towards a regime that, after more than 60 years in power, is facing one of its most scrutinized moments.
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