Over the years

Over the years I have debated with friends and foe over U.S. - Cuba policy and possible paths for Cuba’s democratization. In these encounters, I have argued against a school of thought that favored a China Model for Cuba. My ideological adversaries supported market-type economic changes in Cuba even without any political changes. I advocated for the primacy of individual freedoms over finances.

For the most part, I debated politely with well intentioned, honorable, individuals that sincerely believed that advancing economic reforms would bring about political reforms. They saw engagement as a different strategy to obtain freedom for the Cuban people over the long term. Others, and these are not of my acquaintance, likely had only pecuniary interests and their motivation was suspect.  The “economic engagement” school of thought formulated eloquent arguments as to why seeking to improve the economic well-being of the Cuban people was the moral thing to do, even if it required disregarding the oppressiveness of the regime. I would counter, that in the absence of political changes, economic changes would only solidify financially the dictatorial regime.  In totalitarian economies activity flows mostly to, and from the regime’s institutions. Thus, to promote freedom it is imperative to advance political reforms hand in hand with economic reforms. Economic reforms without freedom enrich mostly the regime and prolong the misery of a citizenry living without freedom. Some individuals might be slightly better off financially, but the pursuit of happiness requires freedom and freedom would be emasculated.  My debate adversaries usually pointed to China to support their position. Some of the most knowledgeable proponents preferred to use the Vietnamese Model as more in line with Cuba’s agricultural economy. But the essential argument was the same: introduce economic reforms, and political reforms and freedom will follow in time.  Their China Model for Cuba was predicated on the market-style economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1979 following the death of Mao Zedong. Many observers hoped that, given these market reforms, China would eventually become a democracy. Never mind that China’s Communist Party always insisted that it would not share power. Cuba’s governing elite, who has not even implemented China-like reforms, has also made it clear that Cuba will not reform politically.  And, although in 1982, Deng Xiaoping introduced term limits of no more than two consecutive terms for the state president; those limits did not apply to the General Secretary of the Communist Party or to the Chairman of the Commission in charge of the military. It is in these positions that power really resides. Deng wielded much of his power through control of the military.  Nonetheless, believers in the “economic reforms will lead to political reforms” model still believed that China would democratize. But on 11 March 2018, the 3,000 delegates of China’s National People’s Congress voted almost unanimously to end the term limits on the presidency, reversing Deng’s succession reforms. This consolidated all power in the hands of China’s current leader Xi Jinping. He can now rule indefinitely in a lifelong tenure; a clear signal that there is no inherent path to democratization in the China Model.

Fifteen years after her suspicious death, the legacy of Laura Pollán continues to pose a challenge to Havana.

They can either kill us, put us in jail or release them. We will never stop marching no matter what happens.” – Laura Inés Pollán Toledo (2010)

Who was Laura Pollán? Why does the Castro dictatorship still fear her legacy?

Laura Pollán became a dissident when her husband Hector Maseda was imprisoned during the Black Cuban Spring of 2003 along with more than 75 other activists and civil society members. She was one of the founders of the Ladies in White and challenged the Castro regime on the streets of Cuba.

In an interview published on October 14, 2026 with Martí Noticias, Berta Soler, the organization’s current leader, reflected on the significance of this anniversary and the continued relevance of Pollán’s message in Cuba’s current landscape.

We pay tribute and homage to Laura, as today marks 15 years since her passing. Laura Pollán—our leader, a woman who was a teacher, professor, guide, fighter, friend, and sister—was taken from us by the Cuban regime 15 years ago. We say “taken” because she died under suspicious circumstances involving unexplained gaps in the regime’s account; we are certain that the regime contributed to hastening her death—that it killed Laura Pollán.

Cuban human rights defender Janisset Rivero, in an article published in 2022 in Marti Noticias, provides a reflection on why Havana feared this civic leader.

“Laura had a sweet voice and an accent from the east of the country; she had been a teacher of literature, and I suspect that her literary knowledge made her identify with the beauty of the cause of freedom in Cuba. Her husband, dedicated to political opposition work, put her at a crossroads, like many other relatives of political prisoners in Cuba at the beginning of the millennium. Laura took up the challenge [in 2003] and believed in her mission. She raised up love against hatred, peace against terror. She did it without losing her sweetness, but with a poise and common sense that earned her leadership among the other women.”

This is why the dictatorship fears her, and we honor her memory.

The proof of a great leader is also measured by who follows them in leadership.  Berta Soler, a former hospital technician with training in microbiology, today, 15 years later, continues to push for freedom. The Cuban dictatorship did all it could to crush the Ladies in White, including physical violence, but Laura, and the other Ladies in White, answered with strategic non-violent resistance achieving greater visibility both internationally and nationally.

Following brutal repression, in an effort to prevent them from marching through the streets of Havana, Laura Pollán directly challenged the regime declaring, “we will never give up our protest. The authorities have three options — free our husbands, imprison us or kill us.” One Lady in White is currently serving a long and unjust prison sentence for defending human rights. Her name is Saylí Navarro.

Imprisoned Lady in White: Saylí Navarro, who is in poor health today.

On October 14, 2026, the current leader of the Ladies in White, Berta Soler, also honored the memory of her predecessor over Face Book. 

 

15th Anniversary of the passing of leader Laura Pollán Toledo

October 14

Laura Pollán, a Lady in White: communist henchmen tried to silence her through death, but they failed; her voice is heard and soars high.

A teacher, a warrior, a brave woman, an anti-communist fighter, and a lover of freedom.

She gave her life for the freedom of all Cuban political prisoners and for the people of Cuba.

We, the Ladies in White, carry on her legacy and honor her today and always.

“FORBIDDEN TO FORGET”

“LAURA POLLÁN LIVES”

Eternal rest for our sister, Lady in White Laura Pollán.

 

 

Let us remember that Laura over eight years in Cuba carried out a sustained campaign of nonviolent resistance to the Castro tyranny.

“They tried to silence 75 voices, but now there are more than 75 voices shouting to the world the injustices the government has committed.” (2004)

“We fight for the freedom of our husbands, the union of our families. We love our men.” (2005)

“They can either kill us, put us in jail or release them. We will never stop marching no matter what happens.” (2010)

“We are going to continue. We are fighting for freedom and human rights.” (September 24, 2011)

“As long as this government is around there will be prisoners because while they’ve let some go, they’ve put others in jail. It is a never-ending story.” (2011)

“If we must give our own lives in pursuit of the freedom of our Cuba that it be what God wants.” (September 24, 2011)

“We are not going to stop. If you have imprisoned our sisters thinking that we would give up, they are mistaken. We are very united (…) all the women’s movements are very close.” (October 2, 2011)