Father Alberto Reyes Pías, the parish priest of Esmeralda in Camagüey, shared his latest weekly column on Facebook this Friday, urging Cubans to persist through free expression and daily dissent. He employed the metaphor of a priest ringing his church bells during religious persecution, even when no one responded by coming to the temple.
In his piece titled "The Need to Ring the Bells," Reyes portrays Cuba as "a country at a standstill" and argues that the logical and intelligent course would be to "end this tragedy, call for national dialogue, and initiate a peaceful transition to genuine democracy."
The Nature of Power in Cuba
Reyes goes beyond mere diagnosis, offering a scathing critique of the nature of power on the island: "Those governing us not only refuse to relinquish power, but they also don't know how to stop. They are clueless about escaping the trap they have set for themselves. Trapped in the inertia of control and authority, they are unable to conclude their work and exit the stage."
In his sharpest analysis, he accuses the regime of choosing "the worst option": "They have opted for death, the sacrificial destruction of citizens, a silent genocide, crushing this people into nothingness with a mindset of: 'I may not survive, but neither will you, or at least I will destroy as much as I can while I have strength, power, and means.'"
Consequences of a Destructive Regime
The priest outlines the tangible consequences of this destructive logic: stifling personal progress, creating "an army of inspectors" instead of promoting a free economy, persecuting and prosecuting all critical voices, and crafting laws that offer no real solutions for the people.
The Act of Speaking Truth
In light of this grim scenario, Reyes frames the act of speaking truth as a political act of resistance, encouraging people to say what they truly think.
"Every time we speak out on social media, every time we articulate what we really feel and desire in our homes, our neighborhoods, or anywhere else, we are ringing the bells of our freedom," he emphasized.
This reflection comes just six days after Reyes addressed a message to military and state agents warning that "a people cannot be chained forever."
The Symbolism of the Bells
The bell-ringing metaphor is rooted in Reyes's past actions. In May 2024, he vowed to ring his church bells 30 times each night during power outages as a protest against the energy crisis.
The regime's pressures on Reyes have been relentless. Last January, State Security summoned him and fellow priest Castor José Álvarez Devesa in Camagüey. Reyes characterized the summons as "intimidation," aimed at delivering a warning for their public criticisms.
Despite these pressures, his weekly column remains unsilenced, concluding with a message to the undecided: "Those who are afraid, those who have chosen to play along with this lie, may not dare to step toward freedom, but they will hear the bells."
Understanding the Cuban Regime's Challenges
What metaphor does Father Alberto Reyes use to describe resistance in Cuba?
Father Alberto Reyes uses the metaphor of a priest ringing church bells during persecution, even when no one comes, to illustrate the act of resistance through free expression and daily dissent.
What does Reyes suggest as a solution for Cuba's situation?
Reyes suggests ending the current tragedy by calling for a national dialogue and initiating a peaceful transition to a real democracy.
How does Reyes characterize the actions of the Cuban regime?
Reyes accuses the regime of choosing a path of destruction, opting for death and the silent genocide of citizens, while stifling personal progress and critical voices.