On the 13th anniversary of the death of Cuban opposition leaders Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, the U.S. representative in Cuba, Mike Hammer, paid tribute to both activists at Colón Cemetery in Havana.
"On July 22, we remember and honor Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, who sacrificed their lives for a better Cuba and in defense of human rights," expressed the U.S. embassy on its official X account.
The message was accompanied by a video in which Hammer is seen in front of the mausoleum where Payá's remains rest, placing a bouquet of flowers and posing with a symbol of freedom with his hand.
In the recording, the diplomat said: "We are at the Colón Cemetery, at the grave of Oswaldo Payá, to remember and honor his work and that of Harold Cepero, to advance towards a better Cuba and always in defense of human rights."
Also, the U.S. State Department, in a post on X, joined the commemoration stating: "The Cuban regime murdered pro-democracy leaders Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero. Their bravery continues to inspire those who fight for democracy and freedom in Cuba."
The entity highlighted that "the legacy of Payá continues through his daughter, Rosa María Payá, who will serve on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights".
For her part, Rosa María Payá, activist and leader of the Cuba Decide movement, commemorated the date with a message denouncing the state crime of July 22, 2012, when Payá and Cepero died after their vehicle collided with another car, under circumstances that witnesses and international organizations have characterized as a political attack.
"The dictators shattered their bodies, and that was precisely the limit of their power. They tried to silence him, but they couldn't. Payá lives on in every young person who protests, in every political prisoner who resists. The night will not be eternal. In fact, dawn is breaking," he wrote.
In a commemorative video, Rosa María emphasized that the Cuban regime tried to erase her father's cause, but they were unable to silence his message or stop the progress of democratic hope. "They tried to silence him, but they couldn't," she reiterated.
As part of the events for the occasion, the activist also publicly thanked the U.S. Congress members who are advocating for a bill to rename the street in front of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. as "Oswaldo Payá Way."
The initiative, promoted by Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, has the support of María Elvira Salazar, Carlos Giménez, Frederica Wilson, Darren Soto, and Nicole Malliotakis.
"Naming the street in front of the Cuban embassy after Oswaldo Payá is an act of justice and hope," affirmed Rosa María.
Oswaldo Payá, founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, was the creator of the Varela Project, a civic initiative that gathered more than 25,000 signatures to demand a democratic referendum in Cuba.
His work was recognized in 2002 with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded by the European Parliament. Harold Cepero, a young economist and member of the same movement, was seen as a promising figure in civic activism.
Thirteen years after their death, both are remembered as symbols of the peaceful struggle for human rights in Cuba, and their legacies continue to inspire new generations both on the Island and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about the tribute to Oswaldo Payá and the human rights situation in Cuba
Who was Oswaldo Payá and why is he important?
Oswaldo Payá was a prominent Cuban opposition leader and founder of the Christian Liberation Movement. He is known for promoting the Varela Project, an initiative that gathered over 25,000 signatures to demand democratic reforms in Cuba. His work was recognized internationally, including the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded by the European Parliament in 2002. His legacy lives on through his daughter Rosa María Payá and continues to inspire those who fight for democracy and freedom in Cuba.
What is commemorated on July 22 in relation to Oswaldo Payá?
On July 22, we commemorate the anniversary of the deaths of Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, who died in 2012 under circumstances considered by many to be a political attack orchestrated by the Cuban regime. This day is remembered by activists and human rights organizations as a moment to honor their fight for a better Cuba and in defense of human rights.
What is Rosa María Payá's role in continuing her father's legacy?
Rosa María Payá has continued her father's legacy as an activist for human rights and democracy in Cuba. She is the leader of the Cuba Decide movement, which seeks a binding plebiscite to determine Cuba's political future. She has been nominated and elected as a commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, from where she continues her fight for freedom and justice in the region.
Why do the U.S. government and other international entities consider Payá's death a state crime?
The U.S. government and several international organizations regard the death of Oswaldo Payá as a state crime due to the suspicious circumstances of his death in 2012, when the vehicle he was traveling in was struck by another car. Witnesses and human rights organizations have indicated that it was a political assassination, not an accident, as claimed by the Cuban regime.
What actions has Rosa María Payá taken to honor her father's memory?
Rosa María Payá has led efforts to honor her father's memory by promoting initiatives such as renaming the street in front of the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C. to "Oswaldo Payá Way." Furthermore, she has continued her activism through the Cuba Decide platform and her work with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, keeping the fight for democracy and human rights in Cuba alive.
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