An age-old question resurfaces, sparking debate about Cuba's future: Who genuinely profits from the unresolved Cuban dilemma? Tania Costa delves into this query in an interview for CiberCuba with Gustavo Marín Duarte, a Cuban exile and founder of the Abdala Group, who remains a significant voice in the anti-communist and anti-imperialist nationalist movement of the Cuban exile community.
Marín's journey to the United States began in 1961, at the tender age of 13, shortly after his father fled Cuba following his detention in the lead-up to the Bay of Pigs invasion. His father held a role in Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representing a generation hopeful for a democratic and nationalist transformation on the island.
"My father worked and held a relatively important position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was among those who believed Cuba was ready for change—a practical change for everyone," Marín recalled during the interview.
After just a fortnight in Miami, the family settled in Brooklyn, New York. "I only spent two weeks in Miami. My Miami experience was virtually nonexistent," Marín noted. It was in this new environment that he would later help establish Abdala.
The Birth and Ideals of Abdala
Abdala was founded on January 28, 1968, at the Woodstock Hotel in New York by seven Cuban student exiles, with Marín serving as its inaugural secretary. The organization took its name from a poem by José Martí, positioning itself as both staunchly anti-communist and anti-imperialist, opposing the Castro regime and any foreign control over Cuba.
This political ideal, according to Marín, was rooted in a profound tradition. "It was the spirit of the mambises, the spirit of Martí, the spirit of a nationalist democratic revolution with reforms that could advance us forward rather than hold us back in areas needing progress in Cuba."
Abdala's Impact and Legacy
At its peak, Abdala boasted 200 to 300 members across 18 branches both in and outside the United States. Its most notable action occurred on March 13, 1971, when 16 members stormed into the UN building in New York and chained themselves in the Security Council to protest the plight of Cuban political prisoners.
Historian Michael J. Bustamante examined the ideological contradiction of Abdala in a 2015 academic study, describing the group as a unique case of "anti-imperialist anti-communism" within the historical Cuban exile.
As of 2026, this debate has gained renewed urgency. Over a million Cubans emigrated to the United States between 2021 and 2025, leading to a fragmented exile community. Dependency on external funds is cited as a barrier to a united opposition. Voices like Marín's advocate for national sovereignty as an unwavering principle against any protectorate or foreign intervention.
The pivotal question of the program sums up the core of the discussion. "We are about to address the program's title question: Can we achieve change in Cuba without the United States? Is it feasible, can it be done?" Tania Costa posed at the start of the conversation, setting the stage for a dialogue linking the exile's history with today's challenges.
Key Questions on Cuba's Political Landscape
Who is Gustavo Marín Duarte?
Gustavo Marín Duarte is a Cuban exile and a founding member of the Abdala Group, known for his anti-communist and anti-imperialist stance within the Cuban exile community.
What is Abdala's significance in Cuban exile history?
Abdala, founded in 1968, is significant for its unique ideology of anti-imperialist anti-communism, and for its bold actions, such as protesting at the UN to highlight the plight of Cuban political prisoners.
Why is the debate on Cuban sovereignty and external influence important?
The debate is crucial as it addresses the challenges of achieving change in Cuba without foreign intervention, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty and self-determination amidst a fragmented exile community.