Author: Gretchen Sanchez 11/16/24
Doctor of Science from University of Alicante- Posted on the Cibercuba website…
“In the popular belief it exists the belief that “Cuba is suffering the 10 plagues of Egypt” because
people are experiencing extreme situations, carrying a religious symbolism similar to what occurred in
the historical bible. The continuation of the 10 plagues of the Bible and it’s similarities with the
realization actual of Cuba.”
Photo 1: “The water is converted to blood” (in this case, drinking water) In Cuba, the crisis of
drinking water affects every time to more communities, with prolonged power outages and
contaminated sources that make it access this essential resource difficult.
Photo 2: “The invasion of frogs” (disorder, obstacles, chaos) Symbolically, frogs in the Cuban case
would be the obstacle and daily difficulties. Problems suffocate citizens, particularly those who try to
survive without breaking the rules, because they know that those who have raised their voice to
change the system have paid with beatings and/or jail.
Photo 3: “Lice or mosquitoes” (Illnesses transmitted by vector-borne diseases) The appearance of
lice and mosquitoes in Egypt caused illness and so much despair that people scratched themselves
until they lost their skin. This situation is reminiscent of the epidemics in Cuba of Oropuche fever,
Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, spread by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. On the island there are also
outbreaks of lice, scabies, bedbugs, crab lice and others. The situation is aggravated by the lack of
drugs and medical supplies; and by the deterioration of health services.
Photo 4: “Flies” (Sanitation problems in urban areas) The flies that invaded Egypt symbolize hygiene
and pollution problems. In Cuba, the poor garbage collection system, stagnant water and
deficiencies in urban infrastructure cause cities to suffer from these problems, affecting public health
and quality of life.
Photo 5: “Cattle Plague” (Livestock crisis) The fifth plague has wiped out Egyptian cattle, which were
a vital resource for the economy and the survival of the people. In Cuba, the crisis in the livestock
sector is chronic. It not only affects cattle and horses, but there is also insufficient production of pigs,
poultry, and eggs. Cases of theft ad slaughter of cattle have increased to unprecedented levels.
Farmers are asking for government support but the authorities are not resolving the situation. Meat
consumption is almost impossible for most people, due to the scarcity and cost of livestock-derived
food products.
Photo 6: “Ulcers and sores” (deterioration of the health system) The ulcers that affect Egyptians
represent a widespread physical ailment. They symbolize vulnerability to communicable diseases. In
Cuba, the deterioration of the public health infrastructure, the lack of medicines and the exodus of
medical professionals make it difficult to care for the sick. Problems that in other places would be
minor become chronic conditions, and many people cannot access treatment for common skin
diseases, infections or mental health conditions. The “ulcer plague” represents the lack of medical
resources in the country.
Photo 7: “The rain of fire and hail” (Meteorological phenomena) The seventh plague of Egypt was a
destructive storm that destroyed crops in the fields, animals and Egyptian homes. In less than a
month, Cuba has received two powerful hurricanes that have seriously impacted people’s lives,
agricultural production, access to food, and especially housing. These floods are due to Hurricanes
Oscar and Rafael. In addition, two earthquakes were reported this Sunday that affected numerous
homes (and churches- Duranona Methodist Church is one of them). Many families have been
affected by this and have lost everything.
Photo 8: “Locust Plague” (destruction of agriculture, hunger) In the Bible, when they mention locusts,
they refer to insects capable of forming dese swarms that devastate large areas of crops. The plague
devoured the sown fields and caused famine. In Cuba, the lack of fertilizers, archaic machinery, and
other agricultural problems act as an invisible plague that consumes the productive capacity of the
country. Low productivity forces the Cuban regime to import a large part of the food, which worsens
the shortage when there is not enough foreign currency for these purchases. The people suffer from
hunger and the government denies it. They claim to be working on a supposed search for food
sovereignty, but they are not.
Photo 9: “Darkness” (darkness, fuel shortage, blackouts in Cuba) The plague of darkness symbolizes
desperation and uncertainty in the case of Egypt. In Cuba, blackouts have been recurrent for
decades, but the energy crisis has been ongoing for more than four years. The situation worsened in
October with numerous general blackouts. Currently, there are many areas in the Island that have
been without electricity for more than four days. Literal and emotional darkness affect the daily life of
Cubans. The blackout is the “modern plague” that limits access to basic services and generates
discouragement in the population, stress and suffering.
Photo 10: ” The death of the firstborn” (suicide, murder, migration) The last plague in Egypt was
devastating, symbolizing a profound loss, the death of children. This was what convinced the
Pharaoh to free the Israelites and is known as the ultimate divine punishment. Cuban families know
deeply the pain of losing loved ones. In the effort to escape from shortages and repression,
thousands of young people have died at sea and in the Darien Jungle (located in Columbia). the
exodus of young people has left an aging population, radically changing the social structure. The
migration phenomenon reflects the “Cuban Exodus” that resembles that of the Hebrew people in the
Bible, who fled in search of freedom and better living conditions.
Agnostics will say that the similarities discussed between the biblical story and the situation in Cuba
do not exist. They will argue that it is only a matter of natural phenomena and issues of the nation
and international economic crisis. However, for many Cuban religious people the mystical signs are
clear. The time of change is approaching and it is time to pay attention to the wisdom of a book that
precedes the current governments and is an indispensable part of the human history.
They cry daily “Let our people go”