The Cuban regime must immediately release all its political prisoners. There are no excuses and no time to waste. The recent fall of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela demonstrates that even the most repressive dictatorships eventually yield to international pressure and the cries of their people. In Caracas, the new interim government of Delcy Rodríguez has already begun to free imprisoned opponents as a "gesture to seek peace" following Maduro's capture. Cuba cannot lag behind: it must do the same without delay.
Today, over a thousand Cubans are behind bars for political reasons: activists, artists, independent journalists, and citizens who once raised their voices. None of them should spend even a minute in prison for thinking differently. Keeping them incarcerated is a national disgrace and a stain on Cuba's reputation. No government that aspires to legitimacy can maintain itself by imprisoning its critics, something even its international allies view unfavorably. The release of all these prisoners of conscience is an urgent moral and political imperative for Havana, an essential first step if the regime intends to show any goodwill.
The people of Cuba deserve a peaceful and organized transition, and the responsibility to achieve this lies directly with the Cuban government. The reality is clear: the population is enduring the worst economic crisis in decades, facing unreliable electricity and lack of potable water in many areas, and experiencing chronic food shortages that force thousands to "limit their diets" and skip meals. Since 2020, more than a million Cubans have left the country in search of a way out of misery. This people has already suffered too much; they need hope and real changes, not more repression. To steer towards a future free of violence, the regime must take brave steps now: release all political prisoners, cease the persecution of dissent, and initiate an inclusive national dialogue. Only then can a chaotic collapse be avoided and the foundations for a democratic future on the Island be laid.
The regime's time is running out, and Washington has made this very clear. “Cuba is something we will end up talking about,” warned U.S. President Donald Trump after the operation that overthrew Maduro. His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, was even more direct: “If I lived in Havana and was in the government, I would be worried.” The Trump administration aims for 2026 to be the last year of communism in Cuba, planning to achieve this not through military intervention, but via maximum pressure. When the White House says that Cuba "seems ready to fall," the leaders in Havana should take it seriously. The message is unequivocal: either there are changes from within, or there will be imposed changes from outside.
Cubans, both on and off the Island, also have a crucial role to play. From Havana to Miami, we must raise our voices and apply pressure. The Cuban diaspora, spread across the globe, must demand that their governments and international organizations condition any dealings with Cuba on the immediate release of all political prisoners. If the regime does not heed the cries of its people, perhaps it will listen to the united pressure from the free world. Every voice matters: international solidarity and the activism of Cubans in every corner of the planet can drive this urgent and just demand forward.
In Venezuela, the initial release of political prisoners—though insufficient—has been well received internationally. The Spanish Foreign Minister himself described the release of opposition figures by Delcy Rodríguez's government as "a positive step" in this new phase of transition. That gesture of openness has created space for hope and dialogue in the South American country. Cuba now has the opportunity to do the same before the situation worsens irreversibly. Releasing all of its political prisoners right now would be an act of humanity and sensibility that would send the right message to the Cuban people and the world. Otherwise, each day without change brings the Cuban regime closer to an abrupt and uncontrollable end.
It's now or never: Cuba must free its political prisoners.
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