11J: The Cuban exile brings the spirit of 11J to Puerta del Sol

Madrid/The Cuban exile brought the spirit of 11J to the Puerta del Sol in Madrid this Saturday, on the fifth anniversary of the social outbreak. Dozens of Cubans and Spaniards participated for several hours in a public action to remember the largest protest against the regime that occurred on the Island, demand the freedom of political prisoners and denounce that the repression continues.

Under the slogan “Today could be 11J”, the initiative ended three days of activities organized by Cuban exile groups. The programming had begun last Thursday with the conversation Five years later: memory, resistance and freedomin which activists, journalists and protagonists of the protests participated, and continued on Friday with the colloquium Challenges for the Cuba to comemoderated by Dr. Antonio Guedes and focused on the political, economic and institutional challenges of a future democratic transition.

In the central Madrid square, this Saturday the participants displayed Cuban flags, distributed information to passers-by and spoke with dozens of people who came interested in the situation on the Island. The day combined public interventions, artistic actions and testimonies from Cubans who left the country and from Spaniards in solidarity with the democratic cause.

“There are 67 years of abuse of power, mistreatment and misery. Enough is enough,” summarized Odalis Chongo, a native of San Miguel del Padrón, in Havana.

Independent journalist Iliana Hernández claimed the historical significance of the 2021 protests. “June 11 is the true day of national rebellion, not July 26. On that date in 1953, criminals who today hold the Cuban people hostage attacked a barracks,” she stated.

Hernández also dedicated part of his speech to denouncing the situation of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. He recalled that the artist has been kidnapped by State Security for three days, despite having fully served the sentence imposed on him.

Among the attendees was Alicia, a Cuban who has lived in Spain for more than two decades. “At first I returned to visit my country. But I don’t want to return until I am free,” he explained while holding a Cuban flag.

The event also brought together Spanish citizens who wanted to express their solidarity with Cubans. A woman from Madrid assured that she has never traveled to the Island nor does she plan to do so as long as the current political system continues. “I wouldn’t go tourism in a country where they repress and people are having such a bad time. I find it embarrassing what Spanish politicians like those from Podemos do. They only represent a very small percentage of Spaniards. They can’t speak for all of us,” he said.

Simón Elías Rodríguez, a 19-year-old Cuban who emigrated just a year ago, explained why he decided to attend the rally. “I emigrated from Cuba when I was 18. When there is no freedom there is no economy, there is no future. I am here for that and for the political prisoners,” he said.

Another Spanish woman said that she was attending on behalf of her family. “I am here representing my husband, who is Cuban. My son was born in Spain, but he feels very Cuban. It is essential that there be a change,” she stated.

For Iancarlo Rocabruno Pentón, the day also served to combat the official narrative of the regime. “In Cuba there is an oppressive dictatorship,” he stated. In his opinion, there are still people in Spain who believe “in the regime’s propaganda, in the false socialist paradise,” although he stressed that many passers-by came with interest to learn about the Cuban reality. “Many Venezuelans come because they understand like few others what these dictatorships do to people,” he added.

Five years after those demonstrations that toured dozens of Cuban cities shouting “Freedom” and “Homeland and Life,” the organizers insisted that the rebellion that began in the streets of the Island remains open as long as political prisoners remain, repression continues and millions of Cubans remain deprived of fundamental rights.