On Monday, Rosa María Payá strongly criticized a post from Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT) on X, which shared details about a meeting between Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
As a commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Payá sent a direct message to Türk via the same platform: "Wash your hands, because those of @BrunoRguezP are stained with the crimes against humanity committed by his superiors."
The activist labeled the MININT's post as originating from "the office of torturers" and described the institution as "the agency responsible for torturing political prisoners, murdering opponents—as they did with my father, Oswaldo Payá—imprisoning minors for demanding freedom, and persecuting anyone who thinks differently in Cuba."
The MININT's post—by an agency charged with internal security and political repression on the island—was not a mere innocent gesture. By publicizing the foreign minister's meeting with the top UN human rights official, the regime aims to project an image of openness and dialogue, particularly when the international community is increasingly scrutinizing the situation in Cuba.
Diplomatic Tensions and Reactions
This incident is part of a week filled with intense diplomatic activity surrounding the island.
On September 23, Senator Marco Rubio, speaking during the General Assembly, warned that there are Cuban officials with whom the United States "will never be able to work" due to their "blood-stained hands," although he left the door open to cooperate with other figures willing to push for a transition to freedom.
Rodríguez Parrilla responded to Rubio by saying "Lie, lie again" in an interview with NBC News, and during his meeting with Türk, he reiterated the Cuban government's commitment to "continue ensuring the exercise of all human rights by all Cubans," as reported by the state-run Granma.
Personal and Historical Context
Payá's personal background is deeply intertwined with her denunciation. Her father, Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, founder of the Christian Liberation Movement, died on July 22, 2012, alongside Harold Cepero in an incident the regime labeled a car accident.
The IACHR concluded in June 2023 that there are "serious and sufficient indications" of state agents' involvement in both deaths, and in July 2025, the U.S. Department of State stated that "the Cuban regime murdered" Payá and Cepero.
Payá was elected as an IACHR commissioner for the 2026-2029 term, providing her with an institutional platform to amplify her criticisms about the situation in Cuba.
Just days before this incident, she presented a democratic transition plan for the island at Florida International University within the framework of the Liberation Agreement signed in March 2026.
Understanding the Implications of Rosa María Payá's Accusations
What was the purpose of Rosa María Payá's message to Volker Türk?
Rosa María Payá's message aimed to criticize Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity and to urge Volker Türk to recognize these accusations.
What role does the Ministry of the Interior play in Cuba?
The Ministry of the Interior in Cuba is responsible for internal security and political repression, and it has been accused of human rights violations, including torturing political prisoners and persecuting dissidents.