Why is the opposition not involved in the negotiations between the United States and Cuba? That is the question that troubles dozens of Cuban dissidents both on the island and abroad.
The political activist Amelia Calzadilla shared her thoughts on this topic in an interview with CiberCuba, amid recent revelations about direct contacts between Washington and Havana, within a context marked by diplomatic pressures and a deep crisis on the island.
Calzadilla acknowledged that he does not have a clear answer, but openly questioned the lack of opposing voices in a process that could define the future of the country.
The activist pointed out that she would like to see an opposition member at the dialogue table instead of figures linked to the government. "I would feel much more represented if an opposition member were sitting there instead of the administration," she stated.
Although she admitted that she does not feel comfortable with direct negotiations with the regime, Calzadilla also recognized the role that the administration of President Donald Trump is playing by placing Cuba as a priority topic on the international agenda.
"I thank the Trump Administration for the effort it is making to put Cuba first," he stated, emphasizing that for years the crisis on the island—marked by repression and economic struggles—had been overlooked by the global media spotlight.
In that regard, he believed that the current interest of the United States has contributed to the media and international organizations once again paying attention to the situation in Cuba. In his view, this change has allowed for an amplification of the reports regarding the humanitarian crisis and the lack of freedoms in the country.
Calzadilla's statements come amid reports confirming direct contacts between U.S. officials and the Cuban regime, following the dispatch of a delegation to Havana by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, with demands such as the release of political prisoners and greater freedoms in the country.
Contacts have been made with key figures in power, such as Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, known as "El Cangrejo," the grandson of Raúl Castro, identified as the main interlocutor within the regime's framework.
Despite her reservations, the activist insisted that any negotiation process generates distrust when it involves the power elite in Cuba. “I distrust them so much that I will always think they are trying to buy time,” she warned.
However, he reiterated that he values any initiative that helps to highlight the Cuban crisis, and emphasized that including the opposition in diplomatic dialogue would be key to achieving real change on the island.
Filed under: