Cuba ‘needs renewal and positive changes not more pain,’ Caribbean bishops say

The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) expressed its “profound pastoral concern for the people of Cuba” who are facing “grave humanitarian hardships” following the U.S. government’s decision to cut off foreign oil supplies to the island.

President Donald Trump asserted that “Cuba’s going to fall” after being asked by Politico on March 5 about the U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran, which began last weekend, killing the Iranian supreme leader and his top military leaders and triggering an escalation of violence throughout the Middle East.

“We cut off all oil, all money, or we cut off everything coming in from Venezuela, which was the sole source. And they want to make a deal,” Trump said.

These measures have resulted in “acute shortages of fuel and essential supplies causing widespread power cuts, disruptions to hospitals and water systems, and serious threats to food security and basic public services,” the Caribbean bishops said.

On March 4, a blackout left two-thirds of Cuba without electricity. Authorities of the Castro regime, which has ruled the country for 67 years, reported that the “fundamental cause” of the blackout was “the weakness of the electrical system due to the unavailability of fuel” to power backup generators.

These power outages have become increasingly frequent in recent weeks, severely impacting the daily lives of Cubans. The AEC noted that these conditions could “deepen the anguish and suffering among ordinary citizens who have already endured much.”

“While Cuba stands in need of renewal and positive changes, it does not need more pain. Nor should our brothers and sisters on the island feel isolated from us in their suffering, especially when we have been recipients of their own generosity in the past,” the Caribbean bishops said.

“The Church cannot remain silent when dignity is threatened and access to food, health care, and basic necessities becomes increasingly uncertain,” they added. For the AEC, the priority is “families, the elderly, children, and the most vulnerable,” who are the ones “who bear the heaviest burden of circumstances beyond their control.”

The bishops reaffirmed “the fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence” in responding to human needs, especially those of the most vulnerable, to whom aid must reach “without political manipulations or delays.”

“The care we offer to those who are hurting reflects the works of mercy by which we will be judged,” they stated, also expressing their closeness to all the Cuban people and the local Church.

“Disagreements among nations must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, rather than by coercion or conflict. Humanitarian considerations must never be overshadowed by political or strategic interests,” they stated.

The Caribbean bishops invited all the faithful of the region to join in prayer for the relief of Cuban suffering, for wisdom for political leaders, and for finding “paths to peace, justice, and reconciliation.”

“May solidarity replace indifference and may charity overcome division,” they urged.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.