In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba released a video on Sunday featuring messages from Cubans about freedom. Using the hashtags #Freedom250 and #ConCubanosDeAPie, journalists, activists, and citizens from the island expressed their hopes for a free Cuba.
The video captures voices from both exiled Cubans and those on the island, connecting the significant U.S. milestone with their own aspirations for freedom at a time when Cuba faces severe blackouts and shortages of water, food, and medicine.
Voices for Freedom
Magdiel Jorge Castro, a journalist and activist exiled in Spain and a prominent figure in Cuban activism, opens the video with a powerful statement: "Freedom is more than a slogan or a flag; it is the ability to believe, to think, to speak freely, without fear of consequences. Only in freedom can we have the Cuba that we Cubans deserve, a prosperous Cuba."
Miami-based journalist Mario J. Pentón, a leading voice in the Cuban diaspora, emphasized that freedom should not be taken for granted: "The United States was born as a promise of freedom, as stated in the Constitution. It is about the pursuit of happiness, the pursuit of freedom, and for millions of Cubans, it has also been a land of refuge, a land of hope, a land of opportunities."
Aspiration for Prosperity
Exiled Cuban Rancel Arias Fonseca expressed gratitude to the U.S. for opening its doors to pursue his dreams and wished that "one day all Cubans can enjoy prosperity, freedom, and opportunities to grow without having to leave their homeland."
Spanish-based activist Magaly Díaz Campillo highlighted, "Freedom of expression is crucial, without fear of being repressed for thinking differently from others."
A Cuban woman directly called out the regime: "I want a free Cuba, where the tyrant who oppresses us leaves, and we are not the ones who have to leave our land."
Healthcare and Basic Needs
A Cuban doctor participating in the video demanded a healthcare system independent of politics: "We long for a Cuba where medicine serves the people and not ideology, where every patient is treated with dignity, and where doctors can practice freely."
Caridad Merino linked freedom with basic needs that are currently scarce on the island: "I wish for Cuba's freedom and that Cubans living in Cuba have water, food, and electricity, which are essential for living. The United States shares a history with us, and together we must rebuild Cuba."
Magdiel Jorge Castro, who has recently been sharing videos of protests and demonstrations in Havana, closed the video by urging young Cubans to stay in their country to create and build wealth, because "freedom is more than a right; it is the essential condition for everything else."
Mario J. Pentón concluded with a wish that encapsulates the sentiment of all participants: "My wish for these 250 years is that the light of freedom that has inspired this great nation also illuminates our country, Cuba."
Questions About Cuban Freedom and U.S. Independence
What message did the U.S. Embassy in Cuba convey for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence?
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba released a video featuring messages from Cubans about their aspirations for freedom, connecting the U.S. milestone with their own hopes for a free Cuba.
Who are some of the notable figures featured in the video shared by the U.S. Embassy?
Notable figures in the video include Magdiel Jorge Castro, a journalist and activist exiled in Spain, and Mario J. Pentón, a Miami-based journalist and influential voice in the Cuban diaspora.
What are some of the key issues addressed by Cubans in the video?
Cubans in the video discussed the need for freedom of expression, a healthcare system independent of politics, and basic necessities like water, food, and electricity, which are currently lacking on the island.