On Friday, Amelia Calzadilla shared a public message on her social media, indirectly addressing the uproar following Carolina Barrero's comments regarding the founding of the Cuban Classical Liberal Party, without explicitly naming anyone.
Previously a program coordinator at Citizenship and Freedom, Calzadilla, who has since established her own party, declared she has no intention of responding to criticisms. "I will not respond, firstly because I don't have the time and secondly because my focus is solely on the freedom that will bring me back home and on liberalism, which I firmly believe is the economic, political, and social solution our nation requires," she stated.
The activist described the situation as a "circus of slander and suspicion" and cautioned that she would remain silent about certain private truths. "I will uphold ethics, particularly to resist the urge to disclose all my truths, because not everything is public, some things deserve to be kept quiet," she added.
The controversy erupted on Thursday after Barrero's interview with Tania Costa in Berlin, during which Barrero claimed neither she nor her team were aware of Calzadilla's plans to establish a party. "We were as surprised as anyone because neither my team nor I knew about this, and we found out through social media," Barrero stated.
However, several party members offered a different account. Lucio Enríquez Nodarse, the treasurer of the Cuban Classical Liberal Party, posted on Facebook on Friday that Barrero was indeed part of the WhatsApp working group where the party was organized.
According to Nodarse, Barrero left the group following an internal discussion about the party's ideological stance. The treasurer mentioned that some members suggested removing the word "center" from their political positioning and defining the party as classically liberal right-wing. "Either remove that, or I'm not staying," Nodarse wrote about his stance during the debate. According to his account, Barrero exited the group before taking part in the vote. He added it was Lázaro Mireles who proposed putting the matter to a vote.
Independent journalist and activist Iliana Hernández also publicly questioned Barrero's account. "Carolina Barrero was already aware of the party's existence by this date; Amelia spoke with her in person on April 14, and Carolina's partner is a witness to that conversation," Hernández wrote.
The Cuban Classical Liberal Party was officially introduced in Madrid on May 19, with Calzadilla as president and Nodarse as treasurer. The party identifies as classically liberal right-wing, emphasizing a market economy and reducing state power, inspired by the ideas of José Martí. Previously, it circulated under the name Cuban Orthodox Liberal Party.
Calzadilla concluded her post by announcing an event in Madrid for that evening to welcome Father Alberto Reyes, whom she described as someone "worth talking about." The dispute arises just a month after Calzadilla and Barrero traveled together to Brussels to meet with European parliamentarians, urging the suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Cuba.
Understanding the Cuban Classical Liberal Party Controversy
What led to the controversy between Amelia Calzadilla and Carolina Barrero?
The controversy arose after an interview in which Carolina Barrero claimed she was unaware of Amelia Calzadilla's plans to form a political party, which was contradicted by other party members.
What is the ideological stance of the Cuban Classical Liberal Party?
The party identifies as classically liberal right-wing, focusing on a market economy and reducing state power, drawing inspiration from the ideas of José Martí.
Who are the key figures in the Cuban Classical Liberal Party?
Amelia Calzadilla serves as the party's president, while Lucio Enríquez Nodarse is the treasurer. They were instrumental in the party's foundation and organization.