A Polish tour guide named Ela, who offers Spanish-language tours of Krakow under the brand "Me Gusta Cracovia," delivered an emotional message on Wednesday encouraging the Cuban people to dismantle their communist regime, following Poland's example from 1989.
This compelling video was shared by content creator Jany González TV on Instagram, quickly amassing over 8,300 views and 135 comments in just a few hours.
Ela filmed her message from Nowa Huta, a notable Stalinist district in Krakow built as a socialist model city starting in 1949, where once stood a statue of Lenin that has since been removed.
"I'm just a simple Polish woman speaking to you from Krakow's communist district, known as Nova Juta. Forty years ago, Lenin's name was here. Now, Lenin is gone. There are no more statues of Lenin or Stalin," Ela declared on camera.
Drawing a direct parallel between Poland and Cuba, Ela said, "Cuba has been under a communist regime for over 60 years. How many more years can it continue? Enough is enough."
Ela recounted how communism fell in Poland: "It took years of protests, banners, people marching in the streets demanding freedom, democracy, rights, an end to ration cards, basic goods, toilet paper."
She also recalled the martial law period when "900 tanks arrived from Moscow to pacify Polish protests," but the struggle culminated in the democratic transition of 1989.
Her core message was a call for internal action: "No one from outside will change your reality; you must do it yourselves."
Ela expressed a personal desire to visit Cuba: "I would love to visit Cuba and not be scrutinized as a tourist, to speak freely and have you do the same."
The meeting between Ela and Jany González occurred during a Krakow tour, where the Polish guide, upon learning about her visitor's Cuban background, insisted on taking her to Nowa Huta to share the memories of life under communism.
Ela's message is part of an emerging tradition of Polish voices encouraging the Cuban people by drawing on their historical experiences.
In September 2025, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski presided over the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Award 2025 ceremony, awarding $275,000 to Berta Soler, leader of the Ladies in White, sparking public controversy with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.
Sikorski responded that the award "honors those who peacefully fight for freedom" and that "the people of Cuba deserve it too."
In October 2025, Poland abstained from the UN vote on the Cuban embargo, marking a historic shift alongside other Eastern European countries like Estonia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.
Lech Wałęsa, the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and symbol of Poland's fall of communism, has repeatedly voiced support for Cuban freedom, pledging to visit the island "when it is free" and warning the regime that "its time is running out."
Ela concluded her message with a powerful statement that resonated with Cuban followers: "Let the Polish case be an example for Cubans to change their reality."
Polish Inspiration for Cuban Change
What message did Ela convey to Cubans?
Ela encouraged Cubans to dismantle their communist regime, drawing parallels with Poland's successful path to democracy in 1989.
How has Poland supported Cuban freedom efforts?
Poland has supported Cuban freedom efforts through awarding the Lech Wałęsa Solidarity Award to Berta Soler and by abstaining from the UN vote on the Cuban embargo.
What historical connection did Ela highlight?
Ela highlighted the historical connection between Poland and Cuba by discussing Poland's fight against communism and its eventual transition to democracy.