Prayers to save Cuba unite the diaspora

Frances Martel Via Brietbart Cuba

The prayers occurred alongside a massive event in Miami, Florida, that day April 26th 2026 titled “United for a Free Cuba” that featured a wide variety of artists, journalists, former political prisoners, activists, and notable individuals within the Cuban exile community. The event attracted national attention the United States, but, U.S.-based organizer Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat told Breitbart News, it was meant as a support event for what was taking place on the island – a collective prayer in the context of a larger Christian resurgence in a country with more than half a century of history of Christian persecution.

From far-west Pinar del Rio province to eastern Camagüey, worshippers organized under the banner of the “Save Cuba” initiative, which was launched in January as a spiritual accompaniment to the now-common anti-communist protests throughout the island.During one event, a speaker prayed for a future free of communist dictatorship, and for forgiveness from Jesus for the campaign waged against His faith following the Castro family coup.“We want change. We want to save our country. We ask forgiveness, Lord, because Cuba distanced itself from you,” the speaker shared, while those assembled took to their knees. “We ask for forgiveness, Lord, because every family distanced itself from you, because we took Christ out of our homes, because we gave our backs to the cross, to the tomb.”

The presence of Christian faith front and center in the struggle for Cuban liberation is not new – priests participated, for example, in the planning of the 1961 Bay of Pigs liberation attempt thwarted by Democrat President John F. Kennedy. For years, the Ladies in White – a group of mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of political prisoners – protested against the regime solely by attending Catholic Mass dressed in white and carrying the photos of their imprisoned loved ones. In Florida, attendees at the “United for a Free Cuba” prayer rally explained the importance of faith in the movement.

Cubazuela's Impending collapse is happening

As Venezuela’s crisis deepens, another — quieter but just as dangerous — is unfolding just 90 miles from Florida. The drama may be smaller, but the danger is real. If Venezuela is wobbling, Cuba is starting to fall.

Via The Hill

Hispanic Confederates

The  Cuba Libre Camp Project. From our Blogtalkradio show Conversa Cuba Companioni genealogically uncovering & preserving both Cuban & other Hispanic Confederate history with founder John O' Donnell Rosales; author of Hispanic Confederates and the bilingual blog History of the South.

Update 8/30/14: Cuban Confederate Soldiers from Alabama, 1861-1865  This booklet is the first in the series "Ethnic Minorities in the Confederate Military". It lists 20 Cuban born and or partial descendant's of Cuban's who served in the Confederate Military, from Alabama between 1861 and 1865. It lists their names, ranks and units, as well as known Biographical Information on each Soldier. This is a truly "forgotten" aspect of the Confederate Military, the Civil War and Cuban History. It makes a great resource for Historians, Genealogists, Civil War Scholars and anyone interested in Ethnic participation in the Confederate Military, as well a those interested in Cuba

Cuba Libre Camp Project Radio Show

On the fifth anniversary of the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Via our cugino Val @ Babalublog.com Remembering  Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Obituary of John O'Donnell Rosales at his memorial service In Mobile Al 11/16/14

John O' Donnell Rosales February 19, 1968 - November 4, 2014.

The following text is from his obituary card with photos of his memorial service at the Mobile Alabama history museum Sunday November 16, 2014. This memorial was organized by Johns' adopted daughter of the heart, Heather Mathews and another discovered cousin Buck Norred with assistance from his fellow brothers and students of the TKE Fraternity of the University of South Alabama.

"My name is John O' Donnell Rosales, and I grew up on the border between Union City, New Jersey and West New York, New Jersey. I am a Cuban exile and I arrived in the United States as a young boy in 1971."

Excerpt, John O Donnell Rosales August 2, 2014

No one was prepared on November 4th 2014 for the passing of John O' Donnell Rosales. He leaves behind a legacy of a life lived in friendship and service that affected everyone that met him. John leaves numerous members, fraternity brothers and friends. He is survived by his mother Rosa Bello, his sister Susell Sierra, her husband Willie, and their daughter Kylie of West New York, NJ. John also leaves the child of his heart Heather Mathews.

A proud Cuban native, he was born in the city of Bayamo on February 19th, 1968 and escaped to the United States In 1971. He continued to be an advocate and an activist for Cuban liberation throughout his life, including his efforts in the Cuba Libre Camp. (#172 of the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans)

His passion for the history of Mobile and the gulf coast remains unsurpassed. John was a devoted supporter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity; he was an alumnus of the fraternity both in Mobile and Miami. All of the members have memories of when his guidance helped them. He founded a camp for the Sons of Spanish American War Veterans and supported the Sons of Confederate Veterans. (His last booklet Cuban Confederate Soldiers from Alabama was  researched under the auspices of the Rafael Semmes Camp #11 here in Mobile)

As an author, he gave life to stories of unsung heroes whose contributions would normally have been forgotten. He wrote of his own ancestry, the history of Mobile and of events that shaped our city and this country.

His vast and varied spirituality offered acceptance to people of many diverse beliefs from the Catholic Church to the Church of Later Day Saints. This is reflected in the time he spent in service to others, at every level he contributed to people.

He gave of himself; a Coke and a smile, a sandwich to someone in need, or a lasting relationship with seeking help or guidance. Throughout his life John was a soldier, an exile, a historian and a scholar... but always foremost a mentor and a friend to everyone around him.

The Piqui Project remembering John O'Donnell Rosales

Welcome to the new Cuba Libre Camp, established to honor and preserve the legacy of my beloved cousin, the author, teacher, historian and Cuban exile John O' Donnell Rosales. John was born in Bayamo, Cuba February 19, 1968 - and he died of a sudden heart attack in Mobile, Alabama November 4, 2014 at the age of 46. Photo of Piqui with Pepe the passenger pigeon. Mobile Alabama 2014

I loved you like a brother and will miss you like my mother, who also left this earth too soon. God bless mio cugino, you were one of a kind. With love and fraternity, your cousin Bobby Companioni.