A thought-provoking question emerged from a weekly discussion: "As a Cuban, what will you do the day after the dictatorship ends?" The responses from the three panelists—Sayde Chaling-Chong, Manuel Milanés, and Alejandra Franganillo—offered diverse perspectives on the vision for a free Cuba, yet they all agreed on one starting point: the reconstruction will extend beyond the physical realm.
Sayde Chaling-Chong, President of the Ibero-American and European Alliance Against Communism and a Cuban dissident living in exile in Spain, was unequivocal in his response. "What we will do starting tomorrow, when the murderous Communist Party dictatorship that keeps the Cuban people hungry and dying ends, is prepare ourselves to rebuild morally, materially, spiritually, and in every way," he stated.
For Chaling-Chong, the moral reconstruction is both the most pressing and the most challenging task, as the regime has normalized behaviors that erode the social fabric.
"Cuba needs a moral reconstruction. Cubans have a mindset filled with words and concepts like stealing—justifying theft, deceit, lies… all those values," he remarked.
He also firmly rejected any agreements with the regime. "I do not agree with any form of concession. These people do not deserve any concessions."
His fundamental argument is that communism does not relent through negotiations. "You cannot negotiate with communism. You cannot make concessions to communism. They do not understand negotiations, nor any terms. They only wish to impose their ideology at all costs."
Conversely, Manuel Milanés argued in the earlier debate that the only path left unexplored in 67 years is the use of force, citing examples like Panama, Iraq, Iran, and Venezuela as instances of effective U.S. intervention.
"Communism has never ended peacefully. It has never ended peacefully and has always been violent," asserted Milanés, who has been listed by the regime on its national terrorist list sent to Interpol.
Alejandra Franganillo, a former associate researcher with the Cuba Study Group and ex-fellow in Senator Marco Rubio's office, offered the most moderate stance among the group.
She supports direct and targeted sanctions against high-ranking regime officials but draws the line at a more extreme approach: "A complete naval blockade of Cuba, I believe, would be irresponsible on the part of the United States."
Her vision for the day after is clear-cut. "If Cuba is to be intervened, let it be a humanitarian intervention with military assistance, and let it be received, rebuilt, restored, and aided."
The discussion unfolds as the Trump administration has imposed over 240 restrictive measures against the regime since January 2026, including direct sanctions against GAESA, Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta, and Alejandro Castro Espín.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations in exile have made strides with concrete transition plans: the FNCA presented its "Cuba Roadmap" with 13 pillars, the Centro de Estudios Convivencia published a catalog of 20 thematic areas, and the Pasos de Cambio coalition ratified in Madrid the Liberation Agreement with four phases: liberation, stabilization, reconstruction, and democratization.
Chaling-Chong had already expressed his conviction in May: "The Cuban regime has already lost."
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuba's Future Post-Dictatorship
What are the different visions for Cuba after the dictatorship?
Panelists suggested a range of visions, from moral and material reconstruction to more moderate interventions, highlighting the need for rebuilding the social fabric and considering humanitarian assistance with military support.
Why is moral reconstruction considered urgent for Cuba?
Moral reconstruction is urgent due to the regime's normalization of behaviors that undermine the social fabric, such as justifying theft and deceit, which need to be addressed to rebuild a cohesive society.
What stance does Manuel Milanés take on ending the regime?
Manuel Milanés advocates for the use of force, citing historical examples where U.S. intervention has been effective, and argues that communism has never ended peacefully.