Leydis Aguilera, the pioneering Cuban-born legislator in Uruguay's Parliament, advocated for a potential political shift in Cuba with fresh leadership. "The current leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba should not remain in power. None of them," she asserted.
Aguilera shared these remarks during an interview with Tania Costa on the program Transition Cuba, where she was asked about the possibility of a process similar to Venezuela's ongoing changes since January 3.
Comparing Cuba and Venezuela
The legislator pointed out a distinct difference between the two nations: "Venezuela, up until 27 years ago, was a democratic country," with a cohesive opposition and "the formidable leadership of the heroic María Corina Machado," Aguilera added.
In contrast, she noted that the island faces a much more challenging reality. "Cuba has been deprived of freedom, democracy, free elections, and independent thought for nearly 70 years," she commented.
The Complexity of Cuba’s Transition
Aguilera warned that Cuba's transition process would be "quite complex" and dismissed the idea that anyone from the current leadership could lead it: "I don't believe anyone from the current leadership is capable of spearheading this transition."
She also indirectly responded to Miguel Díaz-Canel’s call for Cubans abroad to return and invest in the island. Although Díaz-Canel softened his tone towards the diaspora in March, Aguilera dismissed it outright: "The change over these forty-something years hasn't really been significant."
A Personal Journey and Advocacy
Born in Moa, in Cuba's eastern red soils, Aguilera recalled her childhood overshadowed by hunger and blackouts, describing how the regime "brainwashed" its citizens. "We were blindfolded, given helmets, and chips, and they kept brainwashing us," she recounted.
From being a pioneer who shouted "down with imperialism and long live Fidel" to a legislator in Montevideo, Aguilera described her journey as an awakening process, now feeling a sense of duty. "I woke up, I got to know other things, and I have a responsibility to those who still have their eyes closed: I must speak out."
Highlighting Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis
Aguilera also uses her voice to spotlight the humanitarian crisis gripping Cuba in 2026: closed hospitals, non-functioning schools, and mothers unable to feed their children.
She shared a message from a friend on the island sent the previous month: "I'm desperate. I'm on alert. This is systematic exhaustion. This is psychological torture. Tomorrow, I won't send my child to school because I don't know what to feed him."
The legislator, who coordinates the National Party's Commission on Migration Affairs, has openly criticized those who support the regime and expressed gratitude to Uruguay for granting her freedom, democracy, a husband, and a son.
She concluded with a heartfelt message to the children of Moa, Las Tunas, and Havana: "Those who have been on their knees for so long understand, we understand, that a better world is possible," she stated, emphasizing that Cuba's future is not lost.
Understanding the Political Climate in Cuba
What did Leydis Aguilera say about Cuba's current leadership?
Leydis Aguilera stated that the current leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba should not remain in power, emphasizing the need for new faces in any political transition.
How does Aguilera view the difference between Cuba and Venezuela?
Aguilera highlighted that Venezuela was a democratic country until 27 years ago, with an organized opposition and strong leadership, while Cuba has lacked freedom and democratic processes for nearly 70 years.