In recent days, representatives of Cuban civil society brought to the table a discussion topic that reflects the political maturity that various actors opposing the totalitarian regime are beginning to show as they call for a transition to democracy in the country.
Focused on denouncing human rights violations, the lack of freedoms, and the repression exercised by the dictatorship, the voices of opponents, activists, independent journalists, and other civil society actors have postponed the necessary social dialogue to open the pathways for the change that the Cuban society overwhelmingly demands.
Crushed in a brutal manner was the opportunity represented by the Varela Project promoted by the leader of the Christian Liberation Movement, Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas – who died along with Harold Cepero Escalante under dark circumstances – and other initiatives silenced through brutal repression and censorship (such as Estado de SATS, CubaDecide, or Cuba Siglo XXI). Civil society in Cuba remains orphaned from a debate on “visions for the country” that could unite and guide the diversity of approaches toward a course of action.
Adding to this deficiency is the work of the Cuban regime's counterintelligence, which concentrates vast resources to pursue, imprison, and destroy any center of thought that radiates innovative and disruptive ideas towards society. In that sense, it is necessary to recognize the paralyzing effect widespread among Cubans due to State Security, whether through violent methods or by sowing division and confusion among civil society actors, often with pseudo-projects of change and “loyal opposition.”
However, driven by the winds of change in Venezuela and the hope conveyed by the struggle of Venezuelans to regain democracy and the rule of law in their country, many Cubans are recognizing the need to go a bit beyond denouncing the dictatorship and unite the diverse voices of the Island and the exile to create a critical social mass that can force the regime's stronghold, opening Cuba to change after the exhaustion of a "revolutionary project" that has been in power for over 65 years, violently and totalitarianly imposing a communist model that has destroyed the civic life, wealth, and freedom of Cubans.
Although still far from the political organization level of Venezuelans, as well as from their levels of freedom of expression and press, Cuban civil society actors are beginning to think about that "tomorrow" when the dictatorship will lose its internal and external support and fall.
How is a transition process shaped, what conditions need to be met, and how are they achieved? What role do activists, unions, independent press, organizations, and opposition leaders play in that process? It is not an easy topic, of course, but civil society is paving the way in discussions that increasingly capture attention on social media, in publications, in exile, or in the queues, that forum of the common people.
"A few weeks ago, Edmundo Dantés Junior, a prominent influencer, published a survey inviting proposals for presidential candidates for the Cuba we dream of," said Cuban activist Javier Bobadilla on Facebook, reflecting on the question posed by the popular social media profile.
Specifically, Edmundo Dantés Junior asked: “Who would you like to be the president of Cuba when things fall apart?” His analysis of the responses received highlights the expectations that shape the social discourse of contemporary Cuba and serves as a sample of the driving ideas that openly and covertly run through the civil society longing for change.
What conclusions can be drawn from the activist's survey?
“Analyzing the characteristics of the chosen ones (serious), we seek someone intelligent, with a sense of humor, good oratory skills. Someone who knows how to write and explain. Who listens and is consistent. Brave, who is not afraid to tell the truth and to stand by their beliefs, whatever the consequence may be. Someone between 30 and 60 years old, down-to-earth, with a sense of justice and equal rights. Someone who believes in democracy and in the thinking individual who decides for themselves. Someone with a sense of justice," pointed out Edmundo Dantés Junior.
He also noted that "almost everyone chose people they admire. Not that they necessarily have to be politicians, want to be, or were good at it. But that's fine, admiration is important. Respecting those who lead us."
"When the time comes, there are many plans for the transition, projects, and many people behind them. I still believe that these projects should find a way to be known by the entire population in a way that people understand, not just being there. There are many dignified Cubans, many, and with many ideas. When the time comes, I hope we are less traumatized, that we know we have the right to vote/elect our president because we, the people, are the ones who will live that reality and its consequences," he added.
As Bobadilla highlighted, the list resulting from the survey was topped by the intellectual, activist, and academic Alina Bárbara López Hernández and the priest Alberto Reyes, two figures of theoretical strength, powerful oratory, and moral integrity. However, other names from civil society emerged among the voices that sprinkled the survey with mockery and sarcasm.
"Did they ask you about the Day After? The day you will be free. What are you going to do? The day after is when freedom overwhelms you... It is called Learned Helplessness. It is behavior resulting from chronic depression and the denial of control over your own life. Have you seen people living in suspended animation waiting to leave the country? Nothing is going to change? Clear symptoms of learned helplessness. You have spent your whole life in an abusive psychological relationship with a narcissist. You were taught that you were worthless and you believed it, and now it is part of you. That too needs to be eliminated at its roots," Bobadilla reflected.
Inviting active participation in that debate, the activist acknowledged that “on that list there are people for whom I would vote in presidential elections because they have earned my trust. Furthermore, that list includes diversity, ranging from social democracy to conservative right.”
“It’s time for us to take this seriously. I tell you even more. In that list, there are people willing to take on responsibility and bear the weight of a country. I saw the list, and I’m going to take it seriously because I saw Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Ministers. Like that, with an uppercase letter,” he proposed.
"Would I be President? Yes, damn it, if even an idiot like Maduro is president. Would Alina be President? Yes, better than me. Would Father Alberto be President? Can one President manage a nation by themselves? No. We will build the nation around the President. That's how it's going to work. Believe it, because it's about time," he concluded.
What do you think?
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