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The Cuban opposition figure Rosa María Payá responded this Friday to the regime's chancellor, Bruno Rodríguez, after he attacked the leader of the Damas de Blanco, Berta Soler, who was awarded the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Award 2025.
"That order was broken more than 70 years ago; neither Canel is president, nor are you the chancellor, and Cubans have never voted for communism. Usurping power is not representing the people. In contrast, @bertasoler and the #LadiesinWhite are already part of Cuba's history and their struggle for justice," Payá wrote on his X account.
The activist responded to Rodríguez by stating that rewarding those who "subvert the constitutional order of Cuba" is part of an alleged "corrupt and anti-Cuban agenda" of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Payá's statements come after the ceremony in which Soler was honored in Miami with the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Award, presented by Poland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, with the participation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Although she was unable to travel to Miami due to the restrictions imposed by the Cuban regime, Soler participated virtually to thank for the award and reported being disconnected that same morning due to an internet outage.
"Today I cannot be here because of the communist tyranny of Cuba, which imposes an irreversible exit on me, a condition I do not accept, because I am staying in Cuba," he stated.
In her message, Rosa María Payá emphasized that the true recognition belongs to the Damas de Blanco, who for two decades have been leading peaceful marches demanding the release of political prisoners.
Its founder, Laura Pollán, passed away in 2011, and since then the group has been led by Berta Soler, who has faced constant detentions and harassment.
The Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Award, established in 2014, honors defenders of democracy and human rights. Soler joins a list of renowned international activists who have received the accolade, which was revived in 2024 after several years of hiatus.
Frequently asked questions about Rosa María Payá's response to the Cuban government and the award to Berta Soler
Why does Rosa María Payá claim that Cubans have not voted for communism?
Rosa María Payá asserts that Cubans have never participated in free and democratic elections to choose the communist system that has governed the country for over 70 years. According to Payá, the current regime usurps power without truly representing the Cuban people.
What is the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize and why was it awarded to Berta Soler?
The Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Prize is an international recognition awarded to defenders of democracy and human rights. Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White, received the award for her tireless fight for the release of political prisoners and her peaceful resistance against the Cuban regime.
What was the Cuban government's reaction to the award given to Berta Soler?
The Cuban government, represented by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, criticized the awarding of the prize to Berta Soler, claiming it is part of an anti-Cuban agenda promoted by the United States. Rodríguez referred to the opponents as "lackeys" and stated that they profit from American funds.
How has Rosa María Payá contributed to the cause of human rights in Cuba?
Rosa María Payá has been an active advocate for human rights in Cuba, founding the platform Cuba Decide and promoting a binding referendum for democratic change on the island. Additionally, she has been nominated and elected as a commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, from where she will continue her work in support of democracy.
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