Campaign Launched Advocating for Democratic Transition in Cuba

A fresh citizen-driven campaign under the slogan "¡Que se vayan!" has been initiated, aiming to advocate for a democratic transition in Cuba and demand the removal of the regime that has ruled the island for over six decades.

Entitled "¡Que se vayan! For a Free and Prosperous Cuba," the campaign invites Cubans both within the country and abroad to sign an online petition hosted on Action Network and to participate in a digital mobilization on social media platforms.

The manifesto's promoters declare, "The suffering of the Cuban people, faced with the deep crisis tearing the nation apart, compels us—as children of Cuba both inside and outside the country—to urgently demand an end to the dictatorship."

Proposals for Transition

The document suggests that the solution to the crisis involves transitioning towards a multiparty democracy that would "restore fundamental rights, rebuild a just, prosperous, and sovereign Republic, and open a dignified future for all Cubans."

Key proposals include the liberation of political prisoners, the restoration of fundamental freedoms, addressing the humanitarian emergency, reestablishing essential services, and conducting free elections within a reasonable timeframe.

Additionally, the text calls for "the dismantling of the dictatorship's repressive and political enterprises and bodies," the preservation of official archives, and the channeling of international aid through independent avenues. It also urges the international community not to grant loans to the current government and to sanction its leaders if they refuse to facilitate a democratic transition.

Initial Signatories and Social Media Mobilization

Among the campaign's initial signatories are artist and political prisoner Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer García, general coordinator of the UNPACU.

Journalist Mario J. Pentón shared the initiative on his Facebook profile, where he explained that the campaign seeks to channel citizen discontent into concrete action, calling on people to sign and share the message, as seen in his post.

Earlier, the movement's official page reiterated the call for unity both inside and outside the island and encouraged Cubans to record short videos with the slogan "Que se vayan."

In another message shared on social media, activist Willian Ricardo Expósito called for unity, stating that "what hurts the dictatorship most is a united people," urging people to sign the petition and broaden its reach, as he expressed in a video posted on Facebook.

Historical Context and Cultural Resonance

The slogan "Que se vayan" is not new in Cuban discourse. It has been used for years in exile and in protests against the regime, and it has also appeared in music, such as the song "Que se vayan ya" performed by Willy Chirino along with Srta Dayana, Lenier, Micha, Chacal, and Osmani García.

Recently, it gained visibility in the music scene when reggaeton artist Oniel Bebeshito posted a video on Instagram featuring the expression alongside the Cuban flag, a gesture that sparked various interpretations amidst the nation's current context marked by prolonged blackouts, shortages, and growing social unrest.

Although the artist did not make an explicit political statement, the snippet of the song performed, along with the post, was perceived by many followers as a reference to the country's current situation.

The manifesto of the new call for "a free and prosperous Cuba," concludes with a direct appeal: "Every signature counts. Every voice matters." Its promoters emphasize that citizen unity is crucial to initiating a structural change process in Cuba.