Search Results for “Lester Zayas”

“The People Are an Enemy That Must Be Controlled in the Defense of Power in Cuba”

Priest Alberto Reyes calls on the Security Forces to reflect on their role in defending the Cuban dictatorship. 14ymedio, Havana, 14 June 2025 — “How can you lend yourself to harassing and intimidating young people who perhaps have the same thoughts and ideals as your own children?” This is how Father Alberto Reyes addresses those … Continue reading ““The People Are an Enemy That Must Be Controlled in the Defense of Power in Cuba””

The Tone Is Raised Between the Critical Church Leaders and the Cuban Regime

Priest Lester Zayas’s car was vandalized, and a photo taken at the nursing home of nun Nadieska Almeida was manipulated. 14ymedio, Havana, June 9, 2025 — “I don’t think, I don’t hope, I don’t see anything of value in the revolution. So many lies, so many ways to crush my people, so many deceptive promises”. … Continue reading “The Tone Is Raised Between the Critical Church Leaders and the Cuban Regime”

Cuban Faces 2024: Priest Leandro Naun, Chef and ‘War Correspondent’ in Santiago de Cuba

Naun’s style is not that of other priests like Alberto Reyes or Lester Zayas, who are much more direct when it comes to criticizing the regime. 14ymedio, Havana, 27 December 2024 — The Catholic priest Leandro Naun made headlines in the independent press abruptly. Three masked men had entered his parents’ house in Santiago de … Continue reading “Cuban Faces 2024: Priest Leandro Naun, Chef and ‘War Correspondent’ in Santiago de Cuba”

The Cuban Church Asks Spanish Catholics for Help in the Face of Difficulties on the Island

A campaign is launched to collect donations to “support priests and the religious” EFE/14ymedio, Madrid, 5 September 2024 — The power cuts and the shortage of fuel, medicines and other basic goods hinder the work of the Catholic Church in Cuba, according to the bishop of Holguín, Emilio Aranguren, who this Thursday asked for help … Continue reading “The Cuban Church Asks Spanish Catholics for Help in the Face of Difficulties on the Island”

‘Calling People to Pray in Parks is a Pre-Criminal Activity,’ According to the Cuban Authorities

State Security summoned priest Kenny Fernández for his call for peace in Venezuela 14ymedio, Havana, 12 August 2024 — The call to pray for peace in Venezuela made by Cuban priest Kenny Fernández Delgado on August 2nd set State Security in motion within a few hours. This weekend, seven days after an official summoned him … Continue reading “‘Calling People to Pray in Parks is a Pre-Criminal Activity,’ According to the Cuban Authorities”

The Cuban Church Denounces at Least 50 Robberies in Catholic Temples Since March

Some 34 parishes and religious houses in the country have been affected by theft and vandalism 14ymedio, Havana, July 5, 2024 — In Cuba, at least 50 robberies have been recorded in 34 Catholic parishes and religious houses since March of last year, according to the Catholic news channel EWTN. The thieves, who often vandalize … Continue reading “The Cuban Church Denounces at Least 50 Robberies in Catholic Temples Since March”

A Way of the Cross Marked by Emigration and Tensions with the Communist Party of Cuba

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez / Juan Izquierdo, Havana, 30 March 2024 — The most significant station of the Way of the Cross held in Old Havana this Friday, when dozens of Catholics took to the streets under the tense gaze of the Police, occurred on the block of the municipal committee of the Communist Party. … Continue reading “A Way of the Cross Marked by Emigration and Tensions with the Communist Party of Cuba”

Cuba’s Communist Party Forbids Holy Week Processions

14ymedio, 26 March 2024 Havana — Several churches will see their Holy Week celebrations scaled back because the Cuban Communist Party is not issuing permits for street processions. Sources within the Catholic Church have informed 14ymedio that celebrations in at least two parishes in Villa Clara province have been suspended, while other members of the … Continue reading “Cuba’s Communist Party Forbids Holy Week Processions”

The Three Attackers of a Priest’s Parents Are Arrested in Santiago De Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 11 June 2023 — Cuban authorities arrested three individuals in Santiago de Cuba who confessed to having assaulted and beaten the parents of the Cuban Catholic priest Leandro Naun. Two of those involved, according to the Facebook page “Santiago de Cuba al día,” which supports the regime, have been previously prosecuted for theft. … Continue reading “The Three Attackers of a Priest’s Parents Are Arrested in Santiago De Cuba”

The Parents of a Priest Are Injured in an Assault on His Home in Santiago de Cuba

14ymedio, Havana, 6 June 2023 — The parents of the Cuban Catholic priest Leandro Naun were assaulted this Monday in the Santa María neighborhood, on the outskirts of Santiago de Cuba. Three masked men, who broke into their house around midnight to rob them, were discovered by Elsy Hung, the priest’s mother. In their escape, … Continue reading “The Parents of a Priest Are Injured in an Assault on His Home in Santiago de Cuba”

‘Life in Cuba is Almost a Heroic Act’

14ymedio, Xavier Carbonell, Salamanca, 25 October 2022 — Silent, emphatic, direct in what he thinks and says, the young Havanan Adrián Martínez Cádiz has had to “chat” several times with State Security. The agents are difficult interlocutors and gesticulate too much. The last appointment, on October 21, lasted an hour, with an effusive and rough … Continue reading “‘Life in Cuba is Almost a Heroic Act’”

‘We do not want to see the police beat their own people again,’ Say Cuban Priests

14ymedio, Havana, 10 November 2021 — “We do not want to see the police beat their own people again,” 15 Cuban Catholic priests say in a letter released this Wednesday, with less than a week remaining before for the Peaceful March for Change. “We do not want blood to be shed again,” or “to hear gunshots again,” insist the priests, “that is … Continue reading “‘We do not want to see the police beat their own people again,’ Say Cuban Priests”

‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police

14ymedio, Natalia López Moya, Havana | 8 September 2023 — With more needs but equal enthusiasm, Havana residents gathered this Friday at the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Church on the corner of Manrique and Salud, in Centro Habana. Inflation and mass exodus have marked the day dedicated to Cachita*, the Patroness Saint of … Continue reading “‘Cachita’ Goes for a Walk Through Havana Under the Watchful Eye of the Political Police”

Cuba’s Foreign Ministry Vetoes the Presence of Several Priests at the Event with the Cardinal in the University Great Hall

14ymedio, Havana, 9 February 2023 — The Havana journalist Adrián Martínez Cádiz was one of those invited by the authorities of the Catholic Church to an event this Wednesday at the University of Havana where Cardinal Beniamino Stella, envoy of Pope Francis, participated. The guest list included laymen, priests and nuns, and had to be approved by the Ministry … Continue reading “Cuba’s Foreign Ministry Vetoes the Presence of Several Priests at the Event with the Cardinal in the University Great Hall”

Citizen Demand for Another Cuba – 536 Signatures and Counting

Citizen Demand for Another Cuba As Cubans, legitimate children of this land and an essential part of our nation, we feel a deep sorrow at the prolonged crisis that we are experiencing and the demonstrated inability of the current government to make fundamental changes. This obliges us, from civil society, to seek and demand our … Continue reading “Citizen Demand for Another Cuba – 536 Signatures and Counting”