The Classic Liberal Party of Cuba (PLCC), led by its president Amelia Calzadilla, is organizing a "triple event" in Madrid to commemorate the fifth anniversary of July 11, 2021, the largest popular protests recorded in Cuba in decades.
The events, scheduled from July 9 to 11, 2026, are held in collaboration with Disidencias en Movimiento and Somos Más. They aim to keep alive the memory of the largest civic protest against the dictatorship, raise awareness of the situation of political prisoners, and project Cuba's democratic future.
Amelia Calzadilla, interviewed by Tania Costa, was straightforward about the significance of the moment. "Look, on July 11 we plan to have a triple observance. We are going to commemorate it in a very meaningful way because we also think it might be the last time we celebrate it this way, while the dictatorship is still in place."
The program starts on July 9 with a free conversation at the Casa del Cura in Madrid, which will be moderated by Dayana Prieto.
Among the confirmed panelists are Javier Larrondo, president of Prisoners Defenders, an organization dedicated to defending political prisoners in Cuba; Solveig Font; Yunior García Aguilera; Manuel Alejandro Rodríguez; and Elías Rizo León, the young man who, at just 16 years old, became an iconic symbol of July 11th by waving a Cuban flag over a police patrol car.
Regarding that photograph, Calzadilla reflected: "I believe it is the memorable image we have from July 11, of how the people reached a point of exhaustion, anxiety, and weariness, even finding strength and courage where they thought there was none."
The discussion will focus on the memory of 11J, the current situation of political prisoners, and the increase in repression over the past five years. According to data from Prisoners Defenders, Cuba reached a record of 1,260 political prisoners in May 2026.
On July 10, at 6:00 PM, an international colloquium will be held at the Tocororo bar-restaurant in San Sebastián de los Reyes, moderated by Antonio Guedes, founder of the Unión Liberal de Cuba and close collaborator of the late Carlos Alberto Montaner.
Calzadilla described Guedes as "a true pillar" for his party and pointed out that the dialogue will address the future of Cuba in light of a real democratic change, in contrast to what he called "this pseudo-transformation that the communists want to undertake at this moment, fully aware that they are already lost."
The capacity of the colloquium is limited; those interested must request their participation through the Somos Más email.
The highlight of the day will be on July 11, which falls on a Saturday, with a gathering at Puerta del Sol in Madrid from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring informational booths, political speeches, and concluding with a concert by young Cubans.
The day takes on special significance because the sentence of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, leader of the San Isidro Movement who has been imprisoned since July 11, 2021, officially ends on July 9, 2026, as confirmed by the Supreme People's Court in April 2026, with no reductions applied for good behavior.
Calzadilla emphasized that they are "waiting for Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara to be released, to be pardoned," and added that "there are too many reasons to encourage that this July 11, which is the day of rebellion for Cubans, be celebrated in a special way."
The organizer also drew attention to the current climate on the Island, where protests have spread to all provinces, with Havana playing a particularly prominent role. "People are calling for something much deeper and more sensible, which is for freedom."
Calzadilla concluded his statement with a phrase that encapsulates the spirit of the entire call: "We hope that next year we will be celebrating in freedom."
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