SET statement on the current Cuban situation 2021

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SET statement on the current Cuban situation
Dear brothers and sisters from SET partner churches and institutions,
We greet you in the name of our common Lord Jesus Christ, while we give you many
thank you for his expressions of concern and for your prayers regarding the situation
that we are going through in our country.
We are experiencing an acute economic and values ​​crisis since the "special period"
(1990s), when the Soviet Union and the socialist countries of
Eastern Europe, from which we have not yet managed to recover. throughout all these
years, this crisis has been aggravated by various factors.
On the one hand, the aggressive policy of the US governments against Cuba, particularly
during the administration of Donald Trump, which imposed 242 measures against our
town to try to drown us, much of the time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the June 23 session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization
United Nations, 184 nations voted in favor of the Cuban Resolution against the blockade, with 2
votes against and 3 abstentions.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic, which has
brought several negative consequences: the very
unfortunate loss of loved ones, which produces
great emotional impact on the people. But also,
the state loses millions of dollars mainly because of the
fall in tourism and still invest millions of dollars
to try to heal and save the town. a significant
An example of this is the development of research
scientific and the production of five candidates
vaccines against COVID-19 (Soberana 01/02/Plus,
Abdala and Mambisa). Cuba recently authorized its Abdala vaccine, in the midst of the worst outbreak
of the pandemic. The project showed an effectiveness higher than 92% with the application of three
dose in the last phase of clinical trials and becomes the first vaccine
Latin American. However, we are experiencing a collapse of health institutions,
particularly here in the city and province of Matanzas, the current epicenter of the
pandemic right now and there is a huge shortage of medicines.
And finally, the crisis has intensified due to the economic measures taken by the State
at the beginning of this year. Even though salaries have been increased and the
promise that no one will be left homeless, the truth is that the population has to pay
sometimes five times more for food and electricity, water,
gas, telephone, etc.

In recent days, particularly last Sunday, July 11, there have been disturbances,
protests and vandalism, mainly caused by many dissatisfactions
accumulated, all these years, which have worsened in recent months, but also because
have been encouraged and promoted from outside the country (very opportunistically) and also
from within the nation, through social media. Even though these no longer exist
disturbances in the country as occurred last Sunday, there is a "tense calm".
As churches we are interceding for our people, consoling, caring, producing
and sharing meaning, offering a message of faith (strength and hope), of dialogue,
reconciliation and peace with justice. In addition, offering 'solidarity and testimony', carrying out
works of diakonia or service (through Aguas Vivas projects, helping with the
feeding the most vulnerable, serving with the laundry, especially of the
older people).
In the case of the SET, in days past June, the
only Pediatric Hospital in the province of Matanzas
exceeded its maximum capacity. The Ministry of Health
of the province asked the Seminary to
serve as an annex facility to the hospital to house
to girls and boys suspected of COVID-19, with their
respective companions, which was agreed, following
the long tradition of service to Matanzas civil society
of our institution.
On June 20, a joint meeting was held and intense work was done to create the
conditions in the building from visitors, while also protecting both members of our
community as well as properties. It was possible to enable 120 distributed capacities for
patients children positive for the disease, children with suspected disease and a family member
companion. In addition, adult people, suspected and positive for COVID, are cared for,
as well as a team of 10 people, doctors and nurses for the care
hospitable. Since June 21, the facility has been fully occupied
capacity, discharging those who recovered, but also transferring to the unit of
intensive care to those who required it.
At this time, 10 SET workers are working in the different areas. The team
of the kitchen prepares food for 140 people every day, which includes breakfast,
lunch, dinner and two snacks. Furthermore, even though the Ministry of Public Health is
facilitating all the logistics, including food, the SET contributes with the infrastructure,
covering their expenses.
In the teaching order, the campus in Matanzas is closed and our Higher Institute
Ecumenical Institute of Religious Sciences (ISECRE) continues to work virtually
still in the middle of the “holidays”. We are preparing to start the new course
academic year 2021-2022 on Monday, August 30 and we are learning to carry out the processes of
distance teaching/learning for which we appreciate the sharing of the practices of
sister institutions abroad that have more experience. We understand that the great
challenge for us today is the formation of a renewed pastorate and leadership in the churches
and in other religious expressions that serve in Cuba, for the new times, for this
Kairos of our nation, in a post-COVID period that will no longer be the same and to participate
proactively in the new society we are trying to build.
We greatly appreciate your consistent supportive accompaniment, through your prayers and for
through public advocacy to lift the blockade, which even directly damages
our bilateral mission relations, by hindering the sending of financial resources to
our Seminary, including from other countries, due to its extraterritorial nature. We request
an international campaign opposing a possible military intervention against our
country, instigated by politicians in that nation, especially of Cuban origin. we will appreciate,
also donations of medicines and food for which we will send shortly
The indications.
Very gratefully, his brother on mission,
Carlos E. Ham S.
head of the SET
Matanzas, July 12, 2021

https://www.setcuba.org/documentos/Comunicado%20del%20SET%20sobre%20la%20situaci%F3n%20actual%20cubana.pdf