Cuban-American congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar shared a video on her X account on Monday, addressing those who query when it will be Cuba's turn for change. She assured viewers that the island is in a "waiting period" akin to the one that preceded Nicolás Maduro's downfall in Venezuela.
"Everyone who stops me and asks, well, when for Cuba? This is the same waiting period we saw in Venezuela. People used to ask, when? And look, it happened. I have no doubt that this will also occur," stated the Florida Republican legislator in her video message.
Salazar elaborated further, revealing her interpretation of the current strategy: "What is happening right now is my understanding, because it's a very closed circle that knows, but being aware of Marco's position and knowing President Trump's stance, they are giving time to the Castro family."
According to the congresswoman, the real power holders in Cuba are not Miguel Díaz-Canel but rather Raúl Castro, aged 95, along with his grandson and son. The aim is for this core group to "understand, assimilate, and internalize that the game is over" and choose to exit "through the back door."
A Strategy for Peaceful Transition
"There's no issue if they do it. The important thing is that there is a clean and bloodless transition on that island," she noted, describing the process as "the same pattern" applied with Maduro: giving time until Trump decides it's enough.
The video message concluded with a direct promise: "The dictatorship will not last forever. Cuba will be free."
Reactions and Criticisms
However, the comments section quickly filled with criticisms, mostly from Venezuelans opposing their country being presented as a success story.
The most repeated criticism questions Venezuela's real state following Maduro's capture: Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim presidency with Washington's support, Diosdado Cabello—wanted by U.S. authorities with a $25 million reward—remains free and influential, and the country has no election date set. "Venezuela is not a success story; what Trump did in Venezuela is shameful, a pact with narco-terrorists to exploit oil while recycling the dictatorship," one commentator expressed.
Others pointed directly to economic interests as the true driver of Washington's foreign policy. "It will take longer because they don't have oil... That's all that matters," one noted. "To the Cuban people, I say: DON'T EXPECT MUCH. The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela show they are only driven by economic interests," warned another.
Concerns from the Cuban Perspective
The harshest warning came from a Cuban account: "I, being Cuban... would delay that turn for a long, long time... They fear Trump and Rubio will do the same as in Venezuela. They will leave the regime in power and Trump will say that Cubans are happy and dancing in the streets, and Díaz-Canel is wonderful."
There were also reminders of the historical dimension of the issue: "They have been saying the same thing for 67 years," another user wrote in English.
The post garnered over 35,000 views and 205 comments, with skepticism being the dominant tone in the responses. "If they plan to do with Cuba what they did with Venezuela, they better not get involved," summarized another commenter, reflecting the sentiment of many who reacted to the video.
Insights on Cuba's Political Future
What did Maria Elvira Salazar say about Cuba's current situation?
Maria Elvira Salazar stated that Cuba is in a "waiting period" similar to what preceded Nicolás Maduro's decline in Venezuela, suggesting that change is on the horizon for the island.
How did people react to Salazar's comments on Cuba?
The response to Salazar's comments was largely critical, with many Venezuelans rejecting the notion of their country as a success story, and others voicing skepticism about U.S. intentions.