Texto en español HERE
| The conference "Social Collapse in Cuba," held at Florida International University, presented the 9th Study on Social Rights in Cuba, revealing that 94% of Cuban families are living in extreme poverty. |
"Cuba's collapse is the consequence of the failed, inefficient, and corrupt system imposed by the dictatorship. For this reason, democratic transition is not only a political urgency — it is a matter of human survival. Today, a political alternative to the regime is indispensable, and we are taking on the responsibility of driving it forward," said Rosa María Payá, coordinator of the Pasos de Cambio platform and leader of Cuba Decide, during the conference "Social Collapse in Cuba," held this Wednesday at Florida International University (FIU).
"Millions of Cubans, both on the island and in exile, can contribute from their own vocations, professions, and experiences to the rescue of Cuba — but to do so, change is now urgently needed to generate the necessary conditions," the activist emphasized.
Yaxys Cires, Director of Strategy at the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights and spokesperson for Pasos de Cambio, presented the 9th Study on Social Rights in Cuba. The report indicates that extreme poverty in Cuba affects 94% of families, and that 8 out of 10 Cubans have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to a lack of money or food shortages.
The report, based on 1,318 interviews with residents across all provinces of Cuba, reveals that disapproval of the regime's economic and social management grew to 95%, three points higher than the previous year, while 84% distrust the latest economic measures announced by the government. Blackouts represent the primary problem and top priority for resolution cited by respondents (70%), followed by the food crisis (52%), the cost of living (45%), public health — healthcare and medicines — (34%), wages (27%), and insecurity and violence (24%).
Commenting on the data, Rosa María Payá noted that "these are not abstract or cold figures — they reflect the suffering and desperation of millions of Cuban families, as well as their rejection of a regime that violates their freedoms and condemns them to poverty."
The second part of the conference presented ideas to strengthen the humanitarian response plan being developed by the working commission created following the signing of the Freedom Accord. The panel, titled "Proposals for Responding to the Humanitarian Emergency During the Transition," featured Teo Babún, President and Executive Director of Outreach Aid to the Americas; Andrés Asión, member of the advisory board of Global Empowerment Mission; Father José Joaquín Espino, rector of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity; and Dulce Suárez, Associate Director of International Disaster Preparedness at Florida International University (FIU). The conference was moderated by Armando Ibarra, Senior Advisor at the Fundación para la Democracia Panamericana, and Mijail Bonito, attorney and professor, both committed to the transition working commissions.
The conference was organized by Pasos de Cambio and Florida International University.