Cuba’s Santeria priests make dire predictions for world affairs in 2016

Priests offering New Year’s prophecies from Cuba’s Afro-Cuban religion forecast an explosion in migration and social unrest in 2016.

Many on the Caribbean island eagerly await the annual forecast from the Santeria religion which is practiced by millions of Cubans, and has its roots in West African traditions brought to Cuba by slaves.

This year the priests, known as babalawos, predicted outbreaks of migration and social unrest worldwide, as well as an increase in terrorism.

“The predictions of Ifa (divination system) warn world leaders that if no action is taken, we may lead our people to a massive migration provoked by different things, which will cause desperation among them,” priest Lazaro Cuesta told journalists at a news conference in Havana.

“There is a massive migratory process in different parts of the world. In some places, people are fleeing war. In others, economic difficulties. In others, political conflicts. In other places, the barbarity of terrorists. In other words, if appropriate measures to search for a proper solution are not taken in each of the places where these things are taking place, this sign warns us that it (migration) will continue in a progressive fashion,” he added.

The flow of migrants from Cuba increased by around 80 percent last year as the process of détente between Washington and Havana, announced December 2014, stirs fears that preferential U.S. asylum rights for Cubans may soon end.

The babalawos called for changes in migration policy, and “a balance between salaries and the high cost of basic necessities.”

“Dialogue must be used as an important tool to resolve conflicts such as reaching a balance between salaries and the high cost of basic necessities. Respect should reign in family relationships and our social medium. The signs warn of the danger of war. The signs warn of a lack of control in economic management, a dangerous increase in terrorist acts,” said Cuesta.

Most Cubans emigrate for economic motives rather than political ones.

Cuban president Raul Castro announced an expected economic slowdown in Cuba in 2016 at the National Assembly on Tuesday (December 29). Food prices have spiked on the island, where the average salary is under $30 a month.

The priests also prophesied that 2016 would bring greater foreign investment in Cuba and in accords between nations, but gave no further details.