Attorney Julio Rodríguez (Pellitero), part of the Gouper team with offices in Valencia and the United States, expressed in an interview with CiberCuba that a true transition in Cuba cannot be negotiated with the deceptive tactics of the current regime.
Rodríguez emphasized that Cubans must remain "extremely vigilant" in the face of two simultaneous threats that could undermine any real change on the island.
Threats to Genuine Change
The first threat stems from the regime itself. Rodríguez outright dismissed the 176 economic reform measures announced by Díaz-Canel in June 2026, branding them as "deceptive." He firmly asserted, "The only reform for communism is to eradicate communism from Cuba. No other reform is acceptable."
The second threat, as per Rodríguez, emerges within the opposition. Political organizations both in exile and within Cuba are seeking a leading role that, while legitimate in theory, could turn the transition process into a futile ideological conflict.
Unity Over Ideology
"The time of transition is not a time for ideological competition," Rodríguez cautioned. "It's not about claiming one ideology is superior. It's about achieving a democratic transition for all Cubans."
This phrase—"for all Cubans"—holds a specific meaning for the lawyer, one that does not allow for ambiguity: it does not imply impunity or forced reconciliation with those who have repressed the people. "What does 'for all Cubans' mean? It doesn't mean embracing the oppressors. No, it means justice must be a fundamental pillar of the transition."
Foundation in the 1940 Constitution
Rodríguez also stressed that transition requires "political responsibility," not just good intentions. He champions the 1940 Constitution as the legal foundation for any legitimate change process.
His argument is that this document, democratically drafted before most of today's Cubans were born, offers a framework that transcends the current partisan disputes. "I believe that what guides all Cubans toward a transition is a law written before any of us were even alive."
He rejected the ideological label some ascribe to this constitution. "Cubans had national priority due to a constitution that some quite deceptively and meanly claim is socialist," he explained, noting that these provisions addressed a specific reality: Cuba was a net receiver of immigrants at the time, and its nationalist, center-left governments established that priority accordingly.
As an example of what this constitution enabled, Rodríguez cited the governments of the Autentico Party—Grau San Martín and Prío Socarrás—as genuine democratic experiences that were positive for Cuba, remembered fondly even by those who lived through them.
Exile Community's Stand
This debate gained institutional traction on June 5, 2026, when exile organizations agreed in Miami to adopt the 1940 Constitution as the foundational document for Cuba's future. Armando Valladares hailed this agreement as "the first absolute consensus" he had witnessed among the most representative organizations of the Cuban exile community.
Meanwhile, the regime's stance was made clear: Díaz-Canel stated that any economic reforms must be "compatible with preserving the existing system" and showed no willingness to "transform the Cuban political system," effectively shutting the door on any real opening. For Rodríguez, this confirms that no reform is possible within the current system, and negotiating a transition with its supporters equates to ensuring their impunity.
Understanding Cuba's Political and Economic Reforms
What are the main threats to Cuba's transition according to Julio Rodríguez?
According to Rodríguez, the main threats are the deceptive reform measures from the regime itself and the potential ideological conflicts within the opposition.
Why does Rodríguez support the 1940 Constitution for Cuba's transition?
Rodríguez supports the 1940 Constitution because it provides a democratic framework that predates current partisan disputes, offering a solid foundation for legitimate change.
How does the regime view economic reforms in Cuba?
The regime views economic reforms as needing to be compatible with preserving the existing political system, showing no intent to transform the political landscape.