The Cuban-American Congresswoman, María Elvira Salazar, has expressed her concerns about a topic she believes is often overlooked in discussions about Cuba: the aftermath following the potential fall of the Castro regime.
While removing the current leadership is crucial, Salazar argues that the primary challenge lies in rebuilding a nation with no recent experience in democracy.
During an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón, Salazar confidently stated that 2026 will be a pivotal year. However, she quickly shifted the conversation to what she believes is the core issue.
"It's not just about ending the regime... it's about what comes next," she emphasized, distancing herself from a narrative focused solely on political change.
A Country Lacking Democratic Tools
Salazar was blunt in her assessment of the Cuban society's state after more than six decades under authoritarian rule.
"Cubans don't know how to govern ourselves... those on the island aren't familiar with democracy, laws, primaries, elections, or political parties," she asserted.
According to her, the damage extends beyond politics.
"They've been robbed not just of knowing God... but also of the chance to be citizens," she claimed, referring to a profound loss of civic and spiritual values.
The congresswoman went as far as to label those who have led the country as "tyrants, bandits, morally despicable," holding them responsible for stripping the Cuban people of their civic education.
This lack, she warned, complicates any potential transition scenario.
"What happens next? How will this transition unfold?" she pondered, hinting at the absence of a clear plan for the island's immediate future.
Rebuilding the Nation: The Internal Challenge
Although she acknowledged the country's material decline, Salazar stressed that physical reconstruction is merely one aspect of the challenge.
"There's no electricity, no water, no food, no hospitals, nothing... all of that needs rebuilding," she described.
This assessment aligns with recent evaluations of the country's structural crisis, characterized by prolonged blackouts, widespread shortages, and a collapse of basic services.
Nonetheless, she believes this aspect is manageable. "All of that can be rebuilt... the physical can be restored quickly," she stated.
For Salazar, the most daunting challenge lies in the social and human realm. "The hardest part is the internal... the spiritual and emotional aspects are what concern me," she explained.
In this context, she urged consideration of international experiences as potential models.
"Where are the different models: South Africa, Spain, the Soviet Union... that's what every Cuban should be considering," she suggested, referring to various paths of political transition.
Political Pressure and Anticipated Change
Salazar's remarks come amidst mounting pressure on the Cuban regime from Washington, amid sanctions, diplomatic engagements, and a rapidly deteriorating internal situation on the island.
The scenario has been exacerbated by the energy crisis following the loss of Venezuelan supplies, intensifying blackouts and hardship in the country, fueling expectations of a political resolution in the near future.
In this climate, voices from the exile community and within the U.S. Congress have concurred that the current system may not withstand this political cycle in the United States.
The congresswoman's central message was clear: the end of Castroism will not automatically resolve the country's structural problems.
"They will leave... but what happens afterward," she reiterated.
Her concerns highlight a potential vacuum in institutional, social, and moral areas that, without prior preparation, could severely hinder the establishment of a functional democracy in Cuba.
Instead of celebrating a potential change, Salazar emphasizes the need to anticipate it. Because, in her words, the real challenge begins the moment after.
Understanding Cuba's Future After Castro
What is María Elvira Salazar's main concern about Cuba's future?
Salazar is primarily concerned about the day after the Castro regime falls, focusing on Cuba's lack of recent experience in democracy and civic education.
Why does Salazar emphasize the internal challenges over physical reconstruction?
She believes that while physical reconstruction is manageable, the more complex challenge lies in restoring the social and emotional fabric of Cuban society.
What international models does Salazar suggest considering for Cuba's transition?
Salazar suggests looking at transition models from South Africa, Spain, and the Soviet Union as potential guides for Cuba's political transition.