The wife of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta, not recognized as the island's first lady, made a heartfelt plea this Saturday, September 7th. On this day, Cubans celebrate the Virgin of Regla or Yemayá in the Afro-Cuban religion. Cuesta dedicated her supplication for Cubans and Palestinians who "suffer so much."
Cuesta posted on the social media platform X, along with an image of the revered deity: "Beautiful Virgin of the Blue, Yemayá, protect the Cubans with your sacred mantle, arrived from Mother Africa, and extend your love to the Palestinians, who suffer so much by your waters."
Her plea did not go unnoticed by netizens, who directed their prayers towards ending the suffering of the Cuban people.
"Yes, Virgin of Regla, my mother, protect the Cuban people from this communist plague that is killing a nation," responded one user.
"Since when did you become interested in religion, @liscuestacuba?" another user questioned.
"Palestinians, water, virgin, Yemayá, sacred mantle, do you eat or drink something that harms you? Just listening to Maduro and now this, one says: there is no coherence!" someone else remarked.
Lis Cuesta's Previous References to Palestinians
This isn't the first time Lis Cuesta has forcibly intertwined the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with other significant national issues, and she has done so more frequently in the past week.
Last Tuesday, Díaz-Canel's wife referred to the start of the school year in Cuba and once again alluded to the Palestinians.
"A generation is being destroyed in Gaza; there are no schools," she wrote on X, ignoring that many schools in Cuba have started the year without maintenance, lacking necessary school supplies, and with parents having to be creative to provide snacks in a country where food security is increasingly precarious.
This September 7th, Cubans celebrate one of the most important religious festivities in the syncretic calendar: the feast in honor of the Virgin of Regla in the Catholic religion and Yemayá in Cuban Santería.
This date marks a special day where the spirituality of Catholic faithful and Santería believers converge in an act of devotion and respect towards two figures that, although stemming from different religious traditions, represent the same for their followers.
Understanding Lis Cuesta's Religious and Political Statements
Given the recent statements by Lis Cuesta, many are questioning the sincerity and context of her appeals to Yemayá. Here are some frequently asked questions regarding her statements and their implications.
Why did Lis Cuesta appeal to Yemayá for both Cubans and Palestinians?
Lis Cuesta's appeal seems to be an attempt to draw attention to the suffering of both Cubans and Palestinians, possibly to garner sympathy or highlight common struggles.
How have Cubans reacted to Lis Cuesta's statements?
Many Cubans have reacted with skepticism and criticism, questioning her sudden interest in religion and pointing out the ongoing hardships within Cuba itself.
What is the significance of the Virgin of Regla or Yemayá in Cuban culture?
The Virgin of Regla or Yemayá is a significant figure in both Catholic and Afro-Cuban Santería traditions, representing protection, motherhood, and the sea.