A humanitarian mission from the Archdiocese of Bogotá visited communities in Guanabacoa and Regla, in Havana, from July 17 to 20, to provide medicines, food, and spiritual support to families affected by the deep crisis facing Cuba.
The visit, reported this Monday by the Fides Agency, was led by Monsignor Rubén Darío Hernández, territorial episcopal vicar of San Pedro, and Father Ricardo Pulido, head of the Diaconate for Integral Human Development of the Church of Bogotá. The delegation worked alongside Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, Archbishop of Havana; the Redemptorist missionary José Manuel Araya; and the religious sisters Bernardina Montero and Concha Torres, from the Congregation of the Love of God.
In addition to distributing medications, glasses, food, dental hygiene kits, and liturgical materials for the parishes, the religious visited homes and interacted with neighbors in two municipalities that have recently been the scene of protests due to prolonged blackouts and water shortages.
After more than two decades of service in Cuba, Sister Bernardina Montero stated that the social situation continues to deteriorate.
"The Cuban family is currently living in constant tension in their struggle to stay afloat and survive amidst the many challenges they face every day," he stated.
The religious sister explained that the mission aimed to go beyond the churches to reach out directly to the people.
"We haven't come just to be in the temple, but we have come for them as well," he emphasized, highlighting the importance of the house-to-house work.
Sister Concha Torres agreed that the lack of medications continues to be one of the biggest concerns for the population.
"It's one of the strongest needs at the moment," she said, explaining that they distribute the supplies they receive through Cáritas to those in greatest need.
For Father José Manuel Araya, the mission had both a material and a spiritual objective.
"The purpose of this mission is to be the arms, the open hands of Jesus Christ to accompany, console, and proclaim the word of God to this wounded and suffering people," he expressed.
The priest also highlighted the attitude he found among many Cubans despite the difficulties.
"One can sense the patience of the people, a patience sustained by faith," he commented.
For his part, Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez expressed gratitude for the support of the Colombian Church and described the Cuban Church as a community facing significant limitations.
"This is a poor, weak Church, like many Churches that lack missionaries and priests. But it is a good land of the Gospel," he stated.
Monsignor Hernández summarized the situation he encountered during the visit with a description of the daily challenges faced by Cubans.
"We brought what we could on this short mission, we celebrated the Eucharist in the midst of this reality, because there is no water, no electricity, no fuel; so many material things necessary to have a dignified life," he stated.
Before returning to Colombia, the prelate expressed his desire to expand the missionary presence on the island.
"I hope that by 2027 we can have a greater presence with missionaries because the Cuban people need us and cry out for our support, both material and spiritual," he stated.
This mission is part of a broader effort of international solidarity towards Cuba. The U.S. confirmed in July a $100 million aid package, of which $60 million is being channeled through the Catholic Church and Caritas Cuba. The European Union, for its part, allocated an additional 10 million euros in July for medicines, primary care, and water.
Colombia has also sent state aid: in April, a CATAM airplane transported medicines and food from Bogotá, and in June, the ARC Caribe departed from Cartagena with nearly 100 tons of supplies.
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