One of the most prominent figures of the Cuban opposition, Rosa María Payá, declares that she already has a comprehensive plan for governing Cuba in the event that the communist regime loses power, betting on the increasing pressure that the government of Donald Trump is exerting on Havana. As reported by Bloomberg, the 37-year-old daughter of historic dissident Oswaldo Payá has emerged as one of the strongest voices of the Cuban opposition in Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently assigned her a role at the Organization of American States (OAS), and she maintains that she regularly updates senior US officials on the country's plans for a transition from communism to democracy. "We have never been so close. There hasn't been such a great threat to the regime since the Bay of Pigs," Payá stated.
The plan for the day after
In March, Payá gathered representatives from about 50 opposition and civil society organizations who signed the so-called Freedom Accord. The agreement provides for the formation of nine committees that are drafting plans for the operation of key state sectors, such as health, education, the economy, and security services. According to her, lists of personnel from the Cuban diaspora as well as from the country's state apparatus have already been drawn up, who could take on key positions in the public administration in the event of a political transition. The goal is to hold free elections within 18 to 36 months of a regime change. Payá avoided clarifying whether she intends to run for president herself. "I want the Cubans to elect their president. Whether my name will be on a future ballot will be decided at the appropriate time," she noted.
Trump’s support and doubts in Washington
Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has significantly intensified pressure on Cuba, imposing stricter sanctions, restricting energy flows to the island, and moving to prosecute Raúl Castro. At the same time, Marco Rubio has publicly called for a "free Cuba governed by Cubans." However, according to sources cited by Bloomberg, within the American government, there are reservations about whether Payá or other figures of the exiled opposition possess the experience and political influence required to take over the governance of the country after 67 years of communist rule.
The legacy of Oswaldo Payá
Rosa María Payá is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá, founder of the dissident Christian Liberation Movement and one of the most iconic figures of the Cuban opposition. Oswaldo Payá lost his life in 2012 in a car accident while heading to a meeting of pro-democracy activists. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has concluded that Cuban state agents caused the accident, something Havana rejects, insisting it was an accident. In 2015, Payá founded the Cuba Decide movement from Miami, which she claims has about 3,500 members within Cuba and organizes non-violent demonstrations in favor of democracy. She reports that about 50 members of the movement are currently in Cuban prisons. "At some point in my childhood, I realized that my parents were working to change Cuba. I don't remember a time when I didn't know that we were against the regime," she stated.
"We are ready to govern"
Despite the uncertainties regarding how and when political change in Havana could occur, Payá appears certain that the opposition now has a plan and personnel for the day after. "I don't know what President Trump's plan is. But I know what the plan is that the democratic forces of Cuba have put on the table, and we are ready to implement it," she emphasized.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments