The Cuban businessman Iván Herrera, founder and CEO of the American company Univista Insurance, publicly challenged Díaz-Canel to a debate and demanded that he resign. He made this statement during a live interview with CiberCuba after returning from Washington D.C., where he participated in the annual fundraising dinner of the National Republican Congressional Committee and met with State Department officials and congress members.
The immediate trigger for the challenge was the interview that Díaz-Canel gave to Pablo Iglesias on Canal Red, a conversation that Herrera described as a "monologue" without any uncomfortable questions.
"I invite Díaz-Canel to a debate to see if he can deceive me. I spent 23 years of my life living under that dictatorship," declared Herrera. "I challenge you to a debate, Díaz-Canel, or I challenge you to whatever you want. You choose the weapons, because what you are doing to the Cuban people is truly sad."
Herrera, born in Alquízar (Artemisa) in 1973, was invited by the president of the Republican Party to share his story in front of the full Republican Congress with the president of the United States in attendance. He spoke for seven minutes about his journey: from immigrant to founder of a company valued at nearly one billion dollars, with over 300 offices and 3,000 employees.
In the interview, Herrera did not confine himself to the challenge of the debate. He directly urged the Cuban dictator to step down: "Díaz-Canel, leave, start by leaving. You and your wife, get out of there. Leave."
He also urged him to "inform on his masters" and expose the regime's internal corruption, which he described as a structure where Díaz-Canel is merely "a puppet."
Regarding the possibility of a military intervention in Cuba, Herrera did not rule it out. "That has always been on the table," he stated, comparing the potential fate of the Cuban leader to that of Muammar Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein. "They all share the same story," he warned.
Herrera returned this Thursday from Washington with a message of optimism for the exile community. He stated that he perceived a strong commitment to Cuban freedom among the Republican congressmen and assured that he conveyed to them that the change in the island would not cost the U.S. government a dime.
"Cuba wants to produce," he told them. He also stated that he has a close relationship with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has visited his home several times.
The businessman traveled to the U.S. capital accompanied by two nearly 90-year-old exiled activists: Remedios Díaz-Oliver and Lilliam S. Machado, widows of well-known anti-communist fighters. He also mentioned the activist Antonio (Tony) Costa, who is 83 years old and has taken the case of Cuban doctors trafficking to court, citing his phrase: "I am delaying my death to see a free Cuba."
Herrera also categorically rejected any investment in Cuba under the current regime, in response to the regime's calls to the diaspora. "Not a single cent will be invested" by American entrepreneurs in Cuba until the Cubans are free, he reiterated.
The businessman set a specific deadline for political change on the island: "I believe it will happen this year. If the year goes by and nothing happens, and with this Administration it doesn’t happen, we can forget about Cuba," he concluded.
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