On Wednesday, Amelia Calzadilla, leader of the Cuban Classical Liberal Party (PLCC), shared a video on Facebook directly holding the Cuban regime accountable for the outbreak of protests on the island and demanding their resignation.
"The unrest in Cuba has a cause and a culprit. Stop holding meetings that drain the resources of the Cuban people and step down now," stated the activist, currently in exile in Madrid, alongside a video showing images of a blackout protest in Centro Habana this past Tuesday.
Rising Tide of Protest in Cuba
Calzadilla's message comes amidst a sustained increase in popular demonstrations across the island. The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts (OCC) recorded 1,311 protests in May 2026, a significant rise from the 953 in January and 1,133 in April, with a notable uptick in in-person street protests.
June saw continued protests in Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and beyond, with residents demanding electricity, food, and freedom. May witnessed pot-banging protests and road closures in various Havana municipalities, including Miramar, La Lisa, Marianao, Guanabacoa, and Centro Habana.
Debunking the Embargo Myth
Calzadilla has been vocal about the root of the crisis, emphasizing that the blame lies not with the U.S. embargo but with Cuba's political system itself. "In Cuba, they're no longer asking for food; they're asking for freedom," she stated in April, framing the protests as a political demand for systemic change.
From Local Activism to Opposition Leader
Calzadilla's journey to opposition did not start with traditional dissident organizations. Her public visibility emerged between 2021 and 2022 when she highlighted the lack of manufactured gas for 58 households in the Cerro neighborhood of Havana. "My struggle began because I couldn't cook," she recounted.
It was state repression that pushed her further into opposition: "They forced me to become an opponent," she declared, referencing the harassment, slander, and threats she faced after her initial public complaints.
Building a Political Future in Exile
After relocating to Madrid, Calzadilla joined the opposition organization Citizenship and Freedom, engaging in efforts before the European Parliament to advocate for the suspension of the EU-Cuba agreement and for targeted sanctions against those responsible for repression.
On May 19, 2026, she officially launched the Cuban Classical Liberal Party in Madrid, with Iliana Hernández as vice president, Lucio Enríquez Nodarse as treasurer, and Lesly "Havana" de la Torres and Emilio Arteaga as board members. The party champions classical liberalism, a market economy, and the rule of law, while proposing to ban communism in a future democratic Cuba.
The party's membership registration for island residents was announced as private and restricted, for security reasons.
The recent protests in Santiago de Cuba, where citizens took to the streets demanding electricity, food, and freedom, highlight the scenario Calzadilla describes: a populace no longer content with just material solutions but yearning for substantial political change.
Understanding the Protests in Cuba
What is the main cause of the protests in Cuba?
The main cause of the protests, according to Amelia Calzadilla, is the Cuban political system itself, rather than external factors like the U.S. embargo.
How has the protest movement evolved recently in Cuba?
The protest movement in Cuba has seen a marked increase, with over 1,300 protests recorded in May 2026, reflecting a growing demand for basic necessities and political freedom.
Who is Amelia Calzadilla and what is her role in the Cuban opposition?
Amelia Calzadilla is the president of the Cuban Classical Liberal Party and a prominent activist advocating for political change in Cuba. She rose to prominence through local activism and has become a key figure in the opposition.