On Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado extended a message of solidarity to the Cuban people, marking the anniversary of the Republic of Cuba's proclamation. She declared that "after 67 years of brutal Castro-communist tyranny, winds of freedom are sweeping across the continent."
In her message, Machado shared a video featuring U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressing the Cuban populace. She linked the democratic struggles in Venezuela and Cuba, expressing gratitude for Washington's support of both causes.
"Today, May 20th, a date of deep significance for Cuba, I send all my strength to our Cuban brothers and all peoples fighting against oppression," Machado wrote, who was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025.
Unity Between Venezuela and Cuba's Democratic Movements
The opposition leader highlighted the connection between both movements: "The unstoppable force emerging in Venezuela also paves the way in Cuba."
Machado specifically praised Rubio's support: "The backing from Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Cuba's popular sovereignty resonates in Venezuela," and thanked the U.S. government "for its commitment to combatting dictatorships in the region."
She also sent a direct message to Cubans: "Venezuela understands your pain and shares your hope; your struggle is ours."
A Vision for a Free Cuba
Machado's message concluded with a strong declaration: "Soon Venezuela and Cuba will be FREE!!!"
Her statement was a response to a four-minute and 29-second video released by Rubio via the State Department's YouTube channel. In it, he envisioned a "new Cuba" featuring private newspapers, television, free enterprise, and elections.
Rubio asserted that the future relationship between the U.S. and Cuba should be "directly with the Cuban people, not with GAESA," the military conglomerate controlling the island's economy. He offered $100 million in food and medicine, conditional on their distribution through the Catholic Church or charitable organizations, not the regime.
Historical Context and Reactions
May 20, 1902, marks the proclamation of the Republic of Cuba with Tomás Estrada Palma as the first president. This date was removed from the official calendar by Fidel Castro's regime post-1959 and is upheld by exiles and the opposition as a symbol of a free Cuba.
Machado's stance on Cuba isn't new. In an April interview, she explained the structural dependence between the two regimes: "Once the regime in Venezuela is dismantled, Cuba won't endure. It's a regime sustained by the power in my country."
In the same vein, Machado had stated that the Cuban people "deserve to live in total freedom and dignity" and emphasized, "We fight for Venezuela, but also for Cuba because it's essentially the same forces at play."
The Cuban regime dismissed Rubio's May 20 message as "cynical" and "neocolonial," while Díaz-Canel warned on April 22 that Cuba must prepare for potential conflict with the United States.
Since January 2026, the Trump administration has enacted over 240 new sanctions against the Cuban regime, including fresh measures against GAESA announced on May 12.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuba and Venezuela's Democratic Struggles
What is the significance of May 20th for Cuba?
May 20th marks the proclamation of the Republic of Cuba in 1902, symbolizing the establishment of Cuba as an independent nation with Tomás Estrada Palma as its first president.
How are the democratic movements in Venezuela and Cuba connected?
Both movements share a struggle against oppressive regimes, with leaders like María Corina Machado emphasizing their intertwined fates and mutual support for achieving democracy and freedom.