Manolo de los Santos, co-executive director of The People's Forum located in New York, recently claimed in Havana that Cuba offers a unique environment for debates and discussions that are not feasible elsewhere. This statement starkly contrasts with the reality of over 1,200 Cubans imprisoned for opposing the regime.
De los Santos attended the 5th International Colloquium "Homeland with Fidel" held in Havana from April 16 to 18. The event was organized by the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC), the ideological arm of the Communist Party of Cuba.
In an interview broadcasted by Cubadebate, the activist expressed, "I believe that such gatherings cannot occur in many parts of the world. Cuba is precisely the place where we can engage in these debates and conversations, where we must take on the challenge of determining our future steps and how we will combat current issues."
Contradictions in the Call for Dialogue
De los Santos also remarked that "amidst the current attempts by the United States to reassert global dominance, impose its tyranny across networks, communications, and other realms, a convergence space like the colloquium was essential."
The irony of his statements is glaring: Cuba ranks 165th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, scoring merely 26.03 out of 100 points, making it the second worst in Latin America.
Human rights organizations report over 1,200 active political prisoners on the island as of April 2026, including 131 women and 31 minors. Following the protests on July 11, 2021, 1,981 individuals have been jailed for political reasons.
Human Rights Concerns and Political Prisoners
Among the most notable prisoners is Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, leader of the San Isidro Movement and an Amnesty International-recognized prisoner of conscience, who remains in Guanajay prison under critical health conditions and facing death threats from State Security agents.
The Cuban Constitution mandates that all media is state-owned, and the Social Communication Law legally excludes independent journalism from any formal recognition. The colloquium De los Santos attended included prominent figures such as Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and the PCC’s organization secretary Roberto Morales Ojeda.
De los Santos' Continued Support for the Regime
De los Santos is no stranger to visiting Cuba in support of the regime. In March 2026, he participated in the Nuestra América Convoy, and in November 2024, his organization donated 100 electric generators and 26,000 bottles of cooking oil personally delivered to Díaz-Canel. In 2023, he led a delegation of American communists to the island and was welcomed by the Cuban leader.
The People's Forum has come under scrutiny by the U.S. Congress: the House Ways and Means Committee found in September 2025 that the organization received over $20 million from Neville Roy Singham, a businessman with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and acted as a foreign agent.
While De los Santos praises Cuba as a haven for debate, journalist Yoani Sánchez countered these visits in March with a sentiment echoed by many Cubans: "We are not a theme park. Take ideological tourism elsewhere. Here, we are suffering."
Insights into Cuba's Political Climate
Why does Manolo de los Santos believe Cuba is a unique place for debate?
De los Santos argues that Cuba provides an environment for discussions that are not possible elsewhere, despite the reality of political repression on the island.
What is the current state of press freedom in Cuba?
Cuba is ranked 165th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, indicating severe restrictions on journalistic freedoms.
Who is Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara?
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara is a prominent Cuban dissident, leader of the San Isidro Movement, and recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience.