Cuban influencer Diliamne Jouve González, widely recognized as La Dura, shared a powerful message on Instagram this Wednesday, expressing her belief that Cuba is on the brink of escaping the dictatorship that has ruled for decades.
"My country is nearing freedom from a dictatorship that has subjected its people to scarcity, hunger, and necessity for years, forcing many of us to emigrate and leave our roots behind," the influencer wrote on her verified account, @diliamnejacob.
The message, set against a black background, concluded with a hopeful declaration: "But today, every Cuban feels something we haven't felt in a long time, HOPE. Freedom is closer than ever."
The post coincides with the 124th anniversary of the Republic of Cuba's proclamation on May 20, 1902, a date celebrated by Cuban exiles as a symbol of sovereignty, which has gained special significance in 2026 due to the escalated pressure from the Trump administration on the regime.
On the same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a video in Spanish directed at the Cuban people, holding the military conglomerate GAESA accountable for the island's crisis and presenting an offer from President Trump: $100 million in food and medicine, contingent upon distribution by the Catholic Church or other charitable organizations.
"Cuba is not controlled by any revolution. Cuba is controlled by GAESA: a state within a state that answers to no one and monopolizes business profits to benefit a small elite," Rubio stated in the video.
The Secretary of State characterized GAESA as an entity with $18 billion in assets and control over 70% of the Cuban economy, founded three decades ago by Raúl Castro and part of the Armed Forces, with revenues three times the government budget.
La Dura's voice joins a chorus of exile figures who have been intensifying their calls for change in recent months. Cuban expatriates in Miami commemorated May 20 with a mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity under the theme "Cuba's Imminent Freedom."
This isn't the first time La Dura has spoken out for Cuba. In July 2021, during the 11J protests, she declared, "We will not stop until we achieve freedom for Cuba." In March 2024, she once again supported island protests and called for an end to the dictatorship on her social media platforms.
The atmosphere of anticipation arises as Cuba faces an unprecedented electricity crisis, with blackouts lasting up to 22 hours daily and a shortfall that reached 2,113 MW against a demand of 3,250 MW on May 13.
The Trump administration signed Executive Order 14404 on May 1, which has served as a basis for successive sanctions against GAESA and officials of the repressive apparatus, setting June 5, 2026, as the deadline for foreign companies to cease operations with sanctioned Cuban entities under the threat of secondary sanctions.
Key Questions about Cuba's Political Situation
What did La Dura say about Cuba's political future?
La Dura expressed her belief that Cuba is close to freeing itself from the dictatorship, emphasizing the renewed sense of hope among Cubans.
Who is Marco Rubio and what was his message to Cuba?
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, addressed the Cuban people in a video, blaming GAESA for the island's crisis and offering aid contingent on its distribution by charitable organizations.
What is GAESA and why is it significant?
GAESA is a military conglomerate controlling a significant portion of Cuba's economy. It is seen as an entity that monopolizes profits for the benefit of a small elite, functioning as a state within the state.
How is the Cuban exile community responding to the situation in Cuba?
The Cuban exile community has intensified their calls for change, commemorating important dates and advocating for Cuba's freedom through various events and public statements.