Cuban Crisis

Proverbs 28:3 A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops.

Currently, there’s a lot of speculation about Fidel Castro. We don't know whether he is alive or dead, but it does appear to be that he is critically and perhaps mortally ill. Some political pundits are trying to foresee what will happen to Cuba once he is gone. One thing is certain: after Castro dies, Cuba will change.

It reminds me of the time when General Franco was dying in Spain. It may not have made big news over here, but in Europe there was a lot of speculation about Spain becoming a more open society. Franco had prepared in advance for the time of transition by publicly appearing with the future King of Spain. He wanted the Spanish people to undergo a healthy transition. Franco’s wisdom paid off for instead of a fascist and military bloodbath, Spain experienced a peaceful return to becoming a democratic monarchy.

I hope that the Cubans undergo a similar transition, but I fear the worst. Castro has oppressed the people for decades, so there may be a lot of tension, distrust and hostility when he dies. Several years ago, just after the Pope visited Cuba, there was a political backlash against the Roman Catholic Church. The authorities couldn't cope with the popularity of a religious leader, so they tried to oppress the priests and diminish the ministry of the churches. It didn't work and the situation was very similar to what happened in Poland decades ago.

With all of our attention being drawn to the Middle East, we should take time out to pray for the Cuban people. We should ask God to restore justice and liberty to that island, as well as praying for a peaceful transition to take place. It’s a beautiful island, full of wonderful people, with a tremendous history. It would be a shame to see it turn into something like Yugoslavia, which ferociously fell apart and underwent a bloody civil war in which thousands of innocent men, women and children were slaughtered, after Tito died.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Savior of the world and the Healer of the nations. Today we pray for the people of Cuba. These are troubling and uncertain times for them. Let Your church over there support the people in their quest for freedom and liberty. Let Your peace shelter them from the storms of civil unrest and bloody dictatorship. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.