The two main groups of Cuban santería priests revealed their Letter of the Year for 2026, coinciding in grim forecasts. Both the 10 de Octubre Letter of the Year Commission and the Yoruba Association point to an increase in armed conflicts and violence, with Oggún as the ruling deity, lord of weapons, paths, and disputes.
The role of Oggún and the Ogunda Masa sign
Oggún, patron of blacksmiths and symbol of metals, dominates the predictions. The accompanying sign, Ogunda Masa, warns of “loss established by neglect,” interpreted as the consequences of accumulated problems such as urban hygiene and geopolitical tensions. Víctor Betancourt, a babalawo from the Commission, emphasized: “The danger of war is right there. Cuba should use diplomacy; we would be the biggest losers.”
Tensions in the Caribbean drive warnings
The regional context aggravates these omens. The U.S. naval deployment and President Donald Trump’s threats against Venezuela are polarizing alliances in the Caribbean, a historical focal point of friction since the Cold War. Santería, a syncretism of African and Spanish traditions brought by enslaved people and colonizers, influences millions beyond Cuba, in Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, Spain, and the U.S.
Diseases, fires, and political changes on the horizon
The combination of Oggún with Oya brings risks of infectious, stomach, and liver diseases. Socially, they foresee a proliferation of fires, accidents, criminal acts, and “significant changes within the government.” Lázaro Cuesta, another babalawo, clarified: “The Letter of the Year does not solve problems, it only warns about them.” The Yoruba Association, with the Ogunda Otrupom sign, reinforces alerts about armed conflicts and violence and epidemics.
Ancestral tradition in modern times
Every end of year, babalawos perform rituals with drums and offerings to decipher the Letter. This practice, widespread in global Cuban communities, gains relevance in the face of crises such as mass migration from Cuba—more than 500,000 departures since 2022—and escalations in Venezuela. Afro-Caribbean religion experts, such as historians at the University of Havana, emphasize that these prophecies reflect collective anxieties rather than fatal determinism.
- Increase in armed conflicts and violence due to Oggún.
- Health risks and natural disasters.
- Call for diplomacy and hygiene improvements.
In a tense Caribbean, these visions from Cuban santeros regarding armed conflicts and violence invite reflection. Thousands follow these ritual guides, underlining their cultural roots despite modern challenges.