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On July 11, Cuban exiles and activists for freedom in Cuba will hold an information session and a demonstration in Madrid to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the historic protests of July 11, when thousands of citizens took to the streets on the island to demand freedom and the end of Miguel Díaz-Canel's dictatorship.
The event, called by the Movimiento Acciones por la Democracia, will take place at the Plaza de Santo Domingo, in the central district of the Spanish capital.
From noon until 9:00 PM, an information tent will be set up, featuring activities and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the situation of over 1,500 political prisoners currently held in Cuban jails.
The day will culminate with a commemorative demonstration at 8:00 PM, in which the organizers expect broad participation from the Cuban community and supporters of the democratic cause in Cuba.
"We want to tell the true story of Cuba, the one the regime has tried to silence, and show how the people were brutally repressed simply for demanding their fundamental rights," stated Evelyn Calderón and Diana Ángel Bello, members of the movement's board of directors.
The press release denounces that, four years after the social uprising, human rights violations continue to persist on the island, including torture and hunger strikes inside prisons.
It also criticizes the support that, according to the organizers, continues to be provided by European governments such as Spain through the Political Cooperation Agreement with Cuba.
The Actions for Democracy Movement linked the event to a broader denunciation against authoritarian systems, asserting that “Spain is undergoing an anti-democratic and totalitarian process at the hands of the PSOE and its allies, accomplices of the model of the Cuban and Venezuelan dictatorships.”
Under slogans such as “Freedom for political prisoners!”, “Down with the Castro-Canel dictatorship!” and “Homeland, Life, and Freedom!”, the call aims to mobilize the Cuban diaspora and civil society in defense of human rights and democracy on the island.
Last week, the musician and activist Yotuel Romero sent an emotional message to the Cuban people, assuring them that the spirit of 11J remains alive. In his opinion, a new popular uprising in Cuba could this time receive greater support from the world.
“The doors do not always open when it comes to telling the truth about Cuba, but we have not stopped. "Homeland and Life" is not just a movie: it is a collective cry, an open wound, a memory that refuses to die,” the artist expressed and invited people to attend the screening of the documentary on July 11 in the movie theaters of Florida.
Frequently asked questions about the demonstrations for the anniversary of 11J in Madrid
Why was a demonstration called in Madrid for the anniversary of 11J?
The demonstration was called by the Movement Actions for Democracy to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the protests on July 11, 2021, in Cuba. The goal is to make visible the repression and the more than 1,500 political prisoners who still remain in Cuban jails and to demand the end of Miguel Díaz-Canel's dictatorship.
Where and when will the demonstration take place in Madrid?
The demonstration will take place on July 11 at the Plaza de Santo Domingo, in the center of Madrid. An information booth will be set up from 12:00 noon and the day will culminate with a demonstration at 8:00 pm.
What is the current situation of political prisoners in Cuba?
Despite some releases, more than 1,500 people remain imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba. The releases are limited and do not imply an amnesty; rather, they are prison benefits under strict conditions that can be revoked at any time.
What criticisms have been directed at the Cuban regime and the European Union in this context?
The organizers of the demonstration criticize the support of European governments, such as Spain, for the Cuban regime through the Political Cooperation Agreement. It is believed that the agreement has not achieved improvements in human rights in Cuba and that it perpetuates support for a repressive government.
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