EU Human Rights Representative meets Carolina Barrero in Brussels.

Cuban activist Carolina Barrero recently met with Olof Skoog, the new Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for Human Rights, in his office at the European External Action Service in Brussels.

During the meeting, Barrero presented the critical situation of human rights in Cuba, a country he described as a "failed state" that is facing a collapse not only in energy generation but also in access to drinking water, food, and basic services such as education and health.

In an audio shared after the meeting, Barrero emphasized that ineffective government policies have led to a humanitarian crisis that is causing deaths in the Cuban population.

"The power generation plants are more than 40 years out of date, and they have not been supplied with new equipment or the necessary tools for their repair," he pointed out.

Barrero also criticized the EU's aid for cooperation, arguing that it does not reach the population, but rather benefits a "corrupt elite that has usurped power in Cuba and totally controls all spheres."

In the dialogue, important topics were discussed such as the situation of political prisoners on the island and the need for the European body to intervene for their release.

The activist expressed her disappointment regarding Eamon Gilmore's visit to Cuba in 2023, his predecessor Skoog, who did not meet with representatives of civil society. "It is crucial that the 2025 dialogue in Brussels includes civil society and that the Cuban state is compelled to recognize it," she stated.

Olof Skoog, who took office on March 1, has said that his mission is to strengthen dialogues on human rights with third countries and international organizations, which is why Barrero challenged him to publicly dialogue with Cubans, rather than secretly like the European officials who travel to the island.

"We hope that your mandate changes because our civil society is growing and deserves respect and recognition," Barrero emphasized.