Cuba is immersed in an energy crisis that has left much of the country without electricity for long periods, seriously affecting the daily lives of Cubans. The total collapse of the electrical system has generated blackouts of up to 24 hours in several parts of the island, exacerbating the already delicate socioeconomic situation.
This problem has caused many families to lose the little food they manage to obtain due to the impossibility of preserving it without refrigeration. According to BBC Mundo, the energy crisis has overwhelmed the Cuban government's capacity to respond.
In the midst of this situation, Pastor Yarian Sierra, through his Facebook account, has expressed the population's desperation and made a fervent call to prayer for both Cubans and the international Christian community.
“Brothers reading me from anywhere in the world, please don't stop praying for the chaotic situation in Cuba,” Sierra wrote. In his post, he highlighted how the energy collapse is affecting not only the material lives of Cubans but also their spirit, as they must deal with extreme shortages that worsen every day.
Sierra also denounced the economic precariousness faced by the Cuban population, stating that an average salary is barely enough to cover the most basic needs. “The problem is even more acute when we consider that an average salary is barely enough to buy 10 pounds of chicken (if chicken is available to buy),” he stressed. The situation has become unsustainable for many families, who now see their limited food supplies spoil due to the lack of refrigeration caused by the blackouts.
The pastor also expressed his frustration with the authorities' response, as they tried to minimize the seriousness of the crisis. “The sad part of the situation is that it is already entrenched; it is not a 'very specific energy crisis' as some have dared to call it. It is a total, multifactorial, and widespread crisis that we have been living with for many years, only that it has been getting worse every day,” Sierra said in his message. This statement reflects the reality of a problem that goes beyond electricity and deeply affects the quality of life of the Cuban population.
In his message, Sierra asked believers around the world to pray for Cuba, not only for the restoration of basic services but also for the spiritual strength of Christians on the island.
“Please pray for the nation of Cuba. Please pray for the Cuban people. Please pray for the Cuban churches. And especially, I beg you to pray for those whom God has been pleased to place as pastors of His flock in this land,” Sierra cried out.
The pastor highlighted the challenge of leading a community amidst so many difficulties while bearing his own problems and those of the members of his churches.
Finally, Sierra shared a message of hope, recalling that despite the challenges, faith in God continues to be a beacon of light for Cubans. “Although we may appear to be a ghost island, an island forgotten by everything and everyone, God has not forgotten Cuba,” he concluded, calling on his compatriots not to lose hope and to seek strength in their faith.
First published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
