Cuban activist Rosa María Payá, a commissioner with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), has issued an urgent appeal to global governments, politicians, and influencers to join the international effort for Cuba's freedom. She made this call during an interview with Martí Noticias at the "United for a Free Cuba" rally held last Sunday at Miami's Bayfront Park.
The event, orchestrated by the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance (ARC) and the Support and Call Committee, brought together the Cuban exile community at the park's FPL Solar Amphitheater. It was broadcast live to the island via Radio Martí and TV Martí, and the rally was echoed in churches within Cuba and in nations such as Uruguay, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Chile, and Mexico.
Payá expressed hope that more global leaders would align themselves with the United States, which she described as the Cuban people's most significant ally at present, under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio. "I hope more and more governments, politicians, and influencers from around the world decide to join forces," she stated.
She described the struggle for Cuba's freedom as not only an international effort but also an existential battle for the souls of the Cuban people, emphasizing that both Cubans at home and abroad are the key players in this fight.
The Sunday rally marked the second major Cuban exile mobilization in South Florida within a month, following the Free Cuba Rally on March 24 at Milander Park, Hialeah. This occurred just days after the Cuban regime dismissed Washington's ultimatum to release high-profile political prisoners like Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and Maykel Osorbo as a condition for ongoing diplomatic talks.
Ernesto Soberón Guzmán, Cuba's ambassador to the UN, had stated on April 23 that "internal matters regarding detainees are not part of the negotiation table," in response to the deadline set by the U.S.
Addressing Cubans on the island, Payá highlighted that those enduring extreme conditions are her source of hope. "It's those mothers who don't know what their children will eat tomorrow and take to the streets with empty buckets. It's those young people in Morón who went out to shout for freedom, a freedom I have never experienced," she remarked.
Payá was referring to the protests in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, on March 13, where hundreds took to the streets banging pots and chanting "Freedom!" amid over 20-hour blackouts and food shortages, resulting in at least one injury and internet disruptions.
In March, Payá co-led the signing of the Liberation Agreement in Miami with Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, a three-phase transition plan that involves the release of political prisoners, economic stabilization, and internationally supervised free elections. She also expressed gratitude to Radio Martí's antennas for keeping communication channels open with the island.
"We are in this together. We are one nation, both on and off the island, and we are acting as such. Freedom is coming, change is coming, but it depends on each of us how quickly it arrives," Payá concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Path to Freedom
Who is Rosa María Payá?
Rosa María Payá is a Cuban activist and commissioner with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, advocating for Cuba's freedom and human rights.
What is the Liberation Agreement?
The Liberation Agreement is a three-phase transition plan co-led by Rosa María Payá and Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, focusing on the release of political prisoners, economic stabilization, and internationally supervised free elections in Cuba.
How is the U.S. involved in Cuba's fight for freedom?
The United States is considered by activists like Rosa María Payá as a crucial ally in Cuba's struggle for freedom, particularly under the leadership of figures like President Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio.