Eighteen Cuban civil society organizations based in Spain and the Cuban Classical Liberal Party rejected the participation of the Havana regime in the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, asserting that its presence legitimizes a government that holds political prisoners and restricts fundamental freedoms.
The joint statement was signed on Thursday in Madrid, coinciding with the closure of the XXX Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, held on November 4 and 5.
The document sent to CiberCuba considers it a "profound political and moral incongruity" for a community of nations formally committed to human rights to grant recognition and diplomatic normalization to a regime that, according to the signatories, systematically violates the freedoms of its citizens.
Organizations argue that the political system led by the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel and under the decisive influence of Raúl Castro prevents political alternation, persecutes dissent, and criminalizes peaceful protest.
As part of their arguments, they cite reports from civil society documenting around 1,300 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Cuba, a figure close to the historical maximum of 1,372 inmates recorded by Prisoners Defenders as of October 1, 2026.
The statement also holds the regime responsible for the economic and social crisis the Island is facing, characterized by shortages of food and medicine, the deterioration of essential services, and massive emigration.
The signatories believe that the presence of representatives of the Cuban government in Madrid, without clear democratic demands or a public denunciation of repression, "constitutes an affront to its victims and to those who defend a democratic Cuba."
The text directly addresses the Spanish government in its capacity as host and demands that its stated commitment to human rights translates into coherent decisions and public positions. It also warns that "international dialogue should not become an unconditional legitimization mechanism for authoritarian governments."
Among their main demands are a public and unequivocal condemnation of human rights violations in Cuba by Spain and the participating governments, the recognition of independent civil society and exiled opposition members as valid interlocutors, and the inclusion of the Cuban situation in the Ibero-American agenda.
"No red carpet can cover up the prisons. No family photo can erase the suffering of families torn apart by imprisonment and exile. No diplomatic protocol is above human dignity," the statement concludes.
The initiative took place during a week of opposition activities in Madrid, coinciding with the summit. On Wednesday, the opposition activist Rosa María Payá presented a Democratic Transition Plan of over 50 pages to around 80 attendees, including ambassadors, dissidents, and intellectuals, during the forum "Cuba on the Threshold," organized by the platforms Pasos de Cambio and Cuba Decide at the Wellington Hotel.
The meeting was interrupted by a supporter of the Cuban regime who attempted to disrupt the presentation and ended up being expelled from the room amid chants of "Freedom!" and "Long live a Free Cuba!".
On his part, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla led the Cuban delegation in place of Díaz-Canel. During his speech, he focused his criticisms on the U.S. sanctions and called for Ibero-American support for the Government of Havana.
The final declaration of the summit, composed of 20 points, rejected "coercion" and measures contrary to international law, but did not explicitly mention the embargo against Cuba. Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Paraguay formally distanced themselves from point four of the document, highlighting the differences among the participating governments.
Filed under: