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The Cuban activist Amelia Calzadilla announced last Sunday the founding of the Cuban Orthodox Liberal Party and the response on social media was immediate: dozens of Cubans both inside and outside the island expressed their support, requested membership, and indicated her as a possible candidate for the presidency of Cuba.
The announcement, which generated a flood of comments on its Facebook profile, turned the post into a meeting point for Cubans who see in the project a real opportunity for political organization in anticipation of a possible democratic transition.
The party is defined as center-right liberal, inspired by the humanist ideology of José Martí and free market policies, with three fundamental pillars: justice, dignity, and prosperity.
Her slogan, "A new path for Cuba. With principles. With freedom. With you," summarizes the proposal with which Calzadilla presents herself as "a candidate for the freedom and future of Cuba."
Figures of Cuban activism publicly expressed their support. Activist Saily González Velázquez wrote: "Finally, a party appears that represents me. With Amelia Calzadilla, of course."
The journalist and activist Magdiel Jorge Castro celebrated the initiative with a direct message: "It's great news that we are taking this step today... enough with the prejudices stemming from years of political ignorance. Welcome to the parties, the movements, and the collaboration. Congratulations Amelia Calzadilla."
The Cuban activist Yamilka Lafita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, also expressed her support: "Of course my vote would be for Amelia Calzadilla, because she is not only someone I know very well, she is also a woman I respect, who represents me, whom I admire for her simplicity and eloquence, and who above all loves a Free Cuba just as much as I do."
Among the anonymous comments on Calzadilla's post, phrases such as "They wanted to crush you, but they have propelled you even stronger," "The Cuban multiparty system begins," and "Finally, for the first time I will vote. I'm voting for you" stood out.
The activist, who resides in Madrid, explained that the founding of the party was paradoxically triggered by a new smear campaign against her: "The clumsiness of the ignorant prevents them from seeing beyond their own noses, and just like in 2022, they have unleashed a campaign to dress me in a suit I never thought I would wear. And once again, I thank them."
In his introductory text for the party, Calzadilla acknowledged that the regime pushed her to the opposition: "In 2022, I was not an opponent, nor even an activist... I was a Cuban mother discontent with seeing the suffering of those I loved due to an incapable and corrupt system."
Amelia Calzadilla lived 32 years in Cuba before going into exile in November 2023 with her husband and three children, following years of harassment by State Security. In June 2023, her husband was arrested in Havana as part of the regime's pressures against her.
From Madrid, her activism has not stopped. In April, she visited the European Parliament alongside Carolina Barrero, achieving that the EU initiated a formal review process of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba.
Around the same time, he participated in a meeting with María Corina Machado alongside other Cuban activists, and at the end of April, he proposed a "surgical operation" for Cuba similar to the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
When announcing the match, Calzadilla extended an open invitation: "I invite anyone who can identify with these principles to join, every voice will be heard, respected, and valued."
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