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In a moment of extreme fatigue and despair, with ample examples of how the Cuban regime has violated human rights and constitutional guarantees, activist Johanna Jolá shared a reflection that divides opinions among Cubans: the solution for the country does not lie in foreign intervention nor in the slogans of the government, but rather in an internal change with free elections and freedom of expression.
Jolá published an extensive message on where he stated that “disagreeing with a current government should not mean viewing the U.S. military intervention in our country as our only lifeline.”
In his view, "the homeland is far above the ruling officials whom we as citizens did not even elect."
Her stance comes in a context where many Cubans, weary of the economic crisis, censorship, and repression, see foreign intervention as the only way out of the regime's stagnation.
Hello, however, he argues that Cubans must lead their own political and moral change.
"The Homeland needs real changes to emerge from the immense crisis caused by the American blockade and poor internal economic policies. We have been, and continue to be, self-blocking ourselves, while the Homeland and the people suffer all the consequences," he wrote.
The activist proposed that all citizens, both inside and outside the country, should be able to directly elect their leaders at the municipal, provincial, and national levels, although the regime has often disregarded the diaspora that does not support its repressive policies.
"There is no better overseer than the people," he asserted, calling for transparency in the use of the public budget and true accountability.
Jolá also called for "fewer slogans and much more genuine will to act," and criticized "the double standards created by the fear (whether justified or not) of speaking the truth, too much opportunism masquerading as a nonexistent unanimity, which has only led to the loss of individual freedoms in a people that feels increasingly voiceless and disenfranchised."
In his words, there is a direct critique of the current government of Miguel Díaz-Canel, which, during its time in power, has not even been able to alleviate the misery experienced by the people.
He deemed it "incomprehensible" that a person could be imprisoned for their ideas, although there are plenty of examples, and he rejected "harassment, abuse, and the misuse of power."
In her message, she was unequivocal: “I do not support or endorse rallies of repudiation that are a living reflection of intolerance; I will not use my hands to suppress a Cuban who expresses and manifests their opinion, even when it is diametrically opposed to mine.”
Regarding the risk of an intervention, Jolá was even more emphatic: “In the face of a military intervention, a river of blood will flow in our country. In that case, and only in that case, I am willing to give my life without hesitation.”
In his text, he defended the principle of national independence as non-negotiable but advocated for negotiating anything that would benefit the people.
"I desire and long for a better Cuba, more democratic, just, and dignified, but I cannot bear to witness the enjoyment of some in contrast to the hell that millions of Cubans are living through. Let us, as Cubans, be capable of making the changes that our homeland needs; no one from outside should come to do what is our right as citizens," he emphasized.
Johanna Jolá's message has generated mixed reactions: some applaud her for defending national sovereignty without renouncing democracy, while others believe that without external pressure, there will be no real changes on the island.
His reflection raises the question: will internal will be enough to transform Cuba?
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