HRF condemns the Cuban regime’s decision to expel Mexican priest José Ramírez after officials refused to renew his temporary residency in retaliation for a peaceful act of solidarity with citizens protesting prolonged blackouts in Havana.
Ramírez rang the bells of La Milagrosa church in Santos Suárez as residents banged pots and pans to protest prolonged blackouts during the night of Dec. 8 and the early hours of Dec. 9. After a video of the protest went viral, regime agents pressured Ramírez and forced him to leave the country and return to Mexico. (Cider Cuba)
The incident occurred amid a new wave of protests that has spread across Cuba in recent weeks. In Havana and in central and eastern provinces, citizens have taken to the streets to denounce blackouts that last more than 12 hours, severe food shortages, and the collapse of basic services, despite facing repression, internet shutdowns, and arrests. (Havana Times)
The expulsion of José Ramírez reflects the regime’s intolerance of peaceful dissent. HRF condemns this retaliation and the repression of citizens protesting the island’s deepening humanitarian crisis. Democratic governments must increase pressure to defend fundamental freedoms in Cuba.
