Amelia Calzadilla, program coordinator for the organization Citizenship and Freedom, recently appeared before the Committee on Equality and Development Cooperation of the Basque Parliament in Vitoria. Her goal was to shed light on the plight of women in Cuba and to denounce the severe humanitarian crisis sweeping the island.
In her testimony, shared by Citizenship and Freedom on Facebook, the Cuban activist portrayed Cuba's crisis as a direct outcome of decades-long dictatorship. "Our nation is undergoing a humanitarian crisis. This isn't a new situation; it stems from nearly seven decades of poor governmental management," she emphasized.
Calzadilla estimated that approximately 1,200 individuals are currently imprisoned as political prisoners in Cuba. This figure aligns with the 1,214 documented by Prisoners Defenders in February 2026. She warned that these numbers are in constant flux, noting, "As protests erupt on Cuban streets, more individuals are being incarcerated."
The activist highlighted the crucial role women play in these protests. "Women are at the forefront because they bear the brunt of family responsibilities, the weight of children invariably falls on mothers," she stated. She condemned the regime's response, which involves "violence and intimidating lessons," impacting not just activists but also their families.
Providing a concrete example of this repression, Calzadilla revealed that on the very day of her address in Vitoria, a young activist who had recorded a video for the parliamentary session was summoned by Cuban political police, who fabricated charges against her mother to exert pressure.
Before the Basque lawmakers, she presented two videos: one featuring a recently released political prisoner and another of a young woman leveraging social media to amplify the voice of Cuban youth. She issued a dire warning about the country's trajectory: "The dictatorship's grip on power is steering our nation toward a slow, painful, and silent mass extermination, as we are forbidden from voicing our truths."
Calzadilla urged the international community to acknowledge the peaceful nature of the Cuban people's struggle, to withdraw any support for the regime, and to apply genuine pressure. "If this crisis persists, we foresee it could escalate into violence, which we wish to avoid," she cautioned.
Citizenship and Freedom, a Cuban civil society organization founded in 2024 and led by historian and activist Carolina Barrero, operates from exile, documenting systematic repression against independent organizations on the island.
"For our opponents, the end is either prison or exile. We aspire to return to our homeland and rebuild it," Calzadilla concluded before the Basque legislators.
Understanding the Cuban Humanitarian Crisis
What is the main cause of the humanitarian crisis in Cuba?
The humanitarian crisis in Cuba is primarily attributed to nearly seven decades of dictatorial mismanagement, as emphasized by activist Amelia Calzadilla.
How many political prisoners are currently in Cuba?
As of February 2026, there are approximately 1,214 political prisoners in Cuba, according to Prisoners Defenders.
What role do women play in Cuban protests?
Women are pivotal in Cuban protests due to their central role in family responsibilities, which makes them key figures in the struggle against the regime.