Approaching his centennial, Diego Suárez, a pivotal figure in the founding of the Cuban American National Foundation alongside Jorge Mas Canosa, shared a heartfelt revelation in an interview with journalist Tania Costa for CiberCuba. Despite experiencing personal doubts about witnessing a free Cuba, Suárez never allowed these uncertainties to affect those around him.
Set to celebrate his 100th birthday on November 11, Suárez recently received the Herencia 2026 award in Miami. Addressing whether he ever lost hope, he candidly admitted, "I must confess that internally, I sometimes had my suspicions. But I never voiced them publicly. As a human being, I couldn't permit myself to spread sadness or despair to the new generations of the Cuban people."
This emotional confession encapsulates over six decades of exile and relentless struggle since Fidel Castro dismantled the 1940 Constitution and seized control of the island in 1959.
Unwavering Conviction and Vision
Rather than showing signs of weariness, Suárez emphasized that his resolve remains unshaken. "I am still absolutely sure that God will grant me the health to witness the founding of the new republic under the aegis of the 1940 Constitution and the Helms-Burton Act," he asserted.
In his speech after receiving the Herencia 2026 award, he conveyed an optimistic message that resonated deeply with attendees: "We are very close. The winds are blowing in our favor."
A Clear Path Forward
Suárez is adamant that the journey toward this new republic requires no improvisation or alternative plans. His advice to the younger generations is unequivocal: "I tell these young people not to invent anything. Don't start creating transition plans. It's already written, as the Cuban farmers say, signed and sealed."
He emphasizes the Helms-Burton Act as the blueprint for transition and the rebirth of the republic, paralleling the unfulfilled promises made by Castro when he rose to power.
"The transition program, read the Helms-Burton Act. It is nothing more and nothing less than what Fidel Castro promised in 1958: free elections, the organization of political parties, freedom, no political prisoners, freedom of expression. All freedoms. And every Cuban was equal under the law."
Unity: The Key to Success
Suárez also highlighted the necessity of unity as a crucial condition for achieving this moment. "Those of us who are fighting and continue to fight, both the old and the young, men and women, those in Cuba and those in exile, must all speak with one voice to support this cause. There's no need for any kind of invention."
The 1940 Constitution, which Suárez staunchly upholds as the legitimate framework for the new republic, was crafted with the involvement of over five million Cubans and representatives from all political parties of the time, governing the island until Castro's definitive abolition after taking power.
In a previous interview with Tania Costa in May, Suárez expressed his strongest conviction: "I don't just believe it, I am absolutely sure that this year we will achieve Cuba's freedom."
Key Insights on Diego Suárez's Vision for Cuba
What is Diego Suárez's stance on the future of Cuba?
Diego Suárez firmly believes in the eventual establishment of a new republic in Cuba under the guidance of the 1940 Constitution and the Helms-Burton Act, emphasizing a need for unity and no improvisation.
How does Suárez view the Helms-Burton Act?
Suárez regards the Helms-Burton Act as a comprehensive blueprint for Cuba's transition, highlighting its alignment with the freedoms and promises once offered by Fidel Castro.