The historic Cuban exile activist Ramón Saúl Sánchez, leader of the Democracy Movement, released a strong and emotional message in which he criticized what he sees as a potential rapprochement of the Donald Trump administration with the Cuban regime, amidst recent reports about contacts and plans to promote economic changes on the island.
Visibly affected, Sánchez stated that he observes with concern signs that, in his opinion, could ultimately benefit the dictatorship at a time when he believes it is going through one of its weakest phases.
"I come this morning with great sadness because something I have unfortunately been anticipating for Cuba is being confirmed," he stated at the beginning of his address on Facebook.
According to the activist, the information published in recent weeks and the statements made by U.S. officials point to the possibility of negotiations or agreements with the regime.
“Apparently, according to information from credible press sources and statements from our officials, the President of the United States and Secretary of State Marco Rubio… I fear that this alleged release is approaching, which is an offense and a humiliation for the people of Cuba,” he stated.
For Sánchez, any economic or political agreement with Havana under the current circumstances would mean prolonging the life of the system.
“In the moments when that tyranny is at the end of its rope, it serves as a lifeline for that tyranny, and that is unacceptable to us”, he said.
The activist asserted that some sectors would be promoting agreements with Havana for economic or political interests.
"Those who are whispering in his ear are 'pulling the lever'... Some because they want to do business with the regime... selling Castro-style medicine here and making deals with them. And others because they want to stay on your good side for local political matters."
"I don't care if it's Trump, Biden, Russia, or anyone else. Cubans have the right to be free," he asserted.
"I am a foreigner and I have a deportation order, and what I'm saying might very well lead to my deportation. Go ahead, but I will not stay silent [...] Cuba has nothing to do with either of those things. The freedom of Cuba is something very serious," he asserted.
"That regime always finds lifelines."
One of the central points of his message was the warning that economic reforms driven from the outside could end up strengthening the regime, and he reminded that for decades "the regime has always found a lifeline.”
“Are they now going to tell us that because corporations buy or extract nickel or cobalt from Cuba, we will be free?" he questioned, and regretted that they are trying to present economic opening without real political changes as a path to freedom.
"That the Castros can remain there and that corporations come to extract minerals... is that freedom?" he reiterated.
Sánchez recalled the suffering endured over decades by the Cuban people and reflected on the human cost of political repression on the island.
"Let's listen, Mr. Trump: the executed, the political prisoners, the suffering of the mothers, our prolonged exile [...] The rafters who died in the Florida Straits [...] There are many executed, many… don’t play with us," he recalled, and pointed out that any attempt at negotiation that ignores this history would be profoundly unjust.
A direct message to Marco Rubio
During his intervention, the leader of the Democracy Movement also made a call to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom he said he politically admired, but criticized for not having engaged in dialogue with critical sectors of the exile community.
“Marco Rubio, why haven’t you come here to meet with the leaders of the Cuban exile community, even if just behind closed doors, to listen?”, he asked.
"I admire you, friend... what political talent you have," he said; however, he insisted that Washington should also listen to those who do not fully agree with the official line.
"Come here, join us, listen to us. Not just to those who flatter the president, but also to those of us who have a different voice," he said.
According to the activist, if the United States can engage in dialogue with the Cuban regime, it should also listen to the victims
"If we can engage in dialogue with our enemy, who has ravaged our nation, how can we not talk with the victims?"
"Cuba is not a pillage."
The opposition figure insisted that the fate of the island cannot be determined solely based on economic interests.
“Cuba is not a spoils nor a rag. Cuba is a nation with dignity”, he stated.
He also criticized the idea of economically stabilizing the regime as a way to promote change.
"That phrase about economically stabilizing a dictatorship, be careful... that's a made-up excuse to throw it a lifeline," he insisted.
In his opinion, the Cuban political system is in its final stage: “The regime is collapsing, the regime is going down, the regime is at the end of its tether.”
"I don't want to die without seeing my homeland free."
In one of the most emotional moments of his speech, the activist spoke about his own life and health. He said that he is battling cancer but does not want to die without seeing his homeland free.
"I have been fighting for the freedom of Cuba for fifty-eight years, and I have seen it all," he stated.
He even warned that he would be willing to carry his protest to the very end: "If I have to spend my last days on a hunger strike, I will do it."
"If you can't help us, don't interrupt."
In the final part of his message, Sánchez urged the U.S. administration not to promote agreements that could prolong the life of the Cuban regime.
"If you cannot help us to be truly free, then, with all due respect, let us Cubans finish witnessing the collapse of that tyranny."
"Perhaps it will last a little longer... but we will be free," he concluded.
Context: The debate on Washington's plans for Cuba
The activist's statements come amidst recent reports on the Trump administration's policy toward Cuba.
A report published by USA Today described Washington's strategy as a kind of “Cubastroika,” referring to the Soviet perestroika, the process of economic reforms initiated in the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
According to the report, the U.S. administration is exploring ways to encourage economic changes in Cuba through political pressure combined with limited openings to the U.S. market.
Among the measures mentioned is the decision announced on February 25 to allow U.S. petroleum products to be sold directly to private Cuban businesses, effectively circumventing the embargo in place since 1960.
The strategy comes amid a severe energy crisis on the island, worsened by the cut in Venezuelan oil supplies. In Havana, blackouts have lasted up to 15 hours a day, flights have been canceled due to a lack of fuel, and numerous private businesses have suspended their operations.
In addition, Trump himself has publicly acknowledged that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in contact with high-ranking officials of the Cuban regime and has even claimed that they are "desperate to reach a deal".
In this context, the words of Ramón Saúl Sánchez reflect the discomfort of a segment of the Cuban exile community that fears any economic opening will ultimately prolong the political survival of the regime.
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