On Thursday, Martí Noticias reported that Cuba’s Communist Party has expelled Father José Ramírez, a Havana-based priest, after he rang church bells in support of recent protests.
Cuba has faced a series of protests for nearly ten years, which worsened significantly after widespread anti-communist demonstrations on July 11, 2021, followed by a harsh crackdown on dissent. These ongoing protests stem from political opposition to the regime and the government’s failure to resolve critical infrastructure issues, such as the near-collapse of the electrical grid and the risks associated with deteriorating buildings.
In response to another power outage, many residents of Havana took to the streets on Monday night, chanting slogans like “Freedom!” and “Down with Communism!” The government has traditionally sought to keep Havana appealing for tourists, but the repeated power failures have made this increasingly difficult.
During the protests, witnesses recorded churches in the capital ringing their bells, seemingly in solidarity with the demonstrators calling for change.
According to Martí Noticias reporter Mario Penton, the Communist Party has pinpointed Father Ramírez as the one who rang the bells and initiated his expulsion. Sources with ties to the Catholic Church indicate that he’s facing deportation because of his Mexican citizenship. The Communist Party is revoking his stay in Cuba, and officials emphasized that Ramírez’s actions were meant to express support for the people after enduring a prolonged power outage. In addition to bureaucratic measures, the regime’s security agents have reportedly threatened him.
Despite the low-profile nature of Caridad Diego, Director of Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the report mentioned that while she was silent on the expulsion, it was clear that Ramírez’s immigration status would not be extended, effectively forcing him to leave once his legal documents expire.
This report suggested that publicly expelling a priest for supporting the Cuban populace could create a significant scandal and potentially escalate social unrest.
Cuba’s communist authorities have a long and troubling history of persecuting Christians associated with the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations that resist the regime’s actions. Many priests and members of groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists faced imprisonment in forced labor camps during the past. Following the rise of Castro after the 1959 coup, many clergy members were expelled to dismantle Catholic institutions that weren’t aligned with communist propaganda.
Nonetheless, attempts to suppress Christian dissent have not completely succeeded, and many clergy continue to play a crucial role in opposing communism. For example, during the protests on July 11, a priest named Father Castor Jose Álvarez Debesa was forcibly taken by authorities after walking with protesters. He later reappeared with serious injuries and claimed he was assaulted by regime enforcers.
In an interview from 2024, Father Álvarez explained his motivations for protesting and detailed the backlash he faced, including physical injuries and restrictions on his movement. He expressed the belief that following the Gospel of Christ could lead to salvation for their homeland, reinforcing a connection between faith and opposition to the regime.
In 2022, David Currie from the Christian group Open Doors highlighted a spike in the violent persecution of Christians in Cuba following the protests of July 11. Currie noted a growing unity among religious leaders advocating for personal freedoms that challenge the government’s ideology. He remarked that the government seeks to control discussions regarding their actions and maintains strict oversight, creating a hazardous environment for those who speak out.
