During a recent discussion on CiberCuba, César Reynel Aguilera, the author of "El Soviet Caribeño," highlighted a crucial distinction for the future of Cuba's opposition. He emphasized that political activism and engaging in politics are, in his words, “two completely different things.”
Reynel Aguilera joined political analyst Julio Shiling, director of Patria de Martí, and writer Zoé Valdés in a program hosted by Tania Costa, which attracted 200 participants for an intense 90-minute debate.
Aguilera's main argument is that while activism serves a legitimate and essential role initially—he cited Venezuelan María Corina Machado as an example of what this model can achieve—there's an inevitable turning point. “At a certain moment, the situation becomes so complex that those involved in opposition must stop political activism and start engaging in real politics,” he asserted.
Illustrating this transition with her own experiences, writer Zoé Valdés shared her electoral journey in Spain. “I’ve done politics in Spain. I didn’t reach 500,000, but I got around 387,000 votes with the Vox party for the Senate.” Valdés ran as a candidate for the Spanish Senate with Vox during the general elections on July 23, 2023, representing Madrid.
The Shift from Activism to Politics
The phrase that encapsulates this transition, repeated throughout the discussion, is clear: “Politics is about pragmatism and decency. There’s no other way,” Aguilera stated.
Zoé Valdés also challenged the often-cited criticism regarding the fragmentation of the opposition, which is seen as a major obstacle to democratic change. However, she views this as part of democratic normality, emphasizing that the opposition is not, nor do they wish to be, a monolithic block. Opponents have their distinct ideologies, and that’s legitimate, she stressed.
External Sanctions and Internal Challenges
The Trump Administration imposed over 240 sanctions against the Cuban regime since January 2026, targeting figures like Miguel Díaz-Canel and his family. Yet, the discussion participants agree that external sanctions alone are insufficient unless the opposition makes the qualitative leap described by Aguilera.
Directly addressed by the writer, Aguilera, who is also a scientist, validated the thesis and issued a caution to new exiles. “The two key words I repeat to everyone are decency and pragmatism. If you arrive in exile, do not attack those who have not attacked you.”
He also warned about the presence of infiltrated influence agents within the South Florida exile community, a risk he considers particularly serious for newly arrived opponents.
Radical Proposals and Strategic Debate
Meanwhile, Shiling advocated for radical de-communization proposals for Cuba, including legally banning the Communist Party. This places the debate on opposition strategy in a field where differences in approach are as profound as the fundamental agreements.
Zoé Valdés summed up the imperative with her personal testimony: “You’re doing activism, and one day you say: it’s time to take this step, and you do it, and it must be done.”
The writer will have the opportunity to elaborate on these ideas before a Miami audience on July 25 at 2:00 p.m., when she presents her book "Cuba, y ahora la libertad" at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library in Hialeah, with free admission and moderated by journalist Andrés Reynaldo.
Key Insights into Cuban Politics and Activism
What is the main difference between political activism and engaging in politics, according to César Reynel Aguilera?
According to César Reynel Aguilera, political activism and engaging in politics are fundamentally different. Activism is significant in the initial stages, but as the situation becomes more complex, opposition figures must transition from activism to actual political engagement.
How did Zoé Valdés illustrate her transition from activism to politics?
Zoé Valdés illustrated her transition by sharing her experience running for the Spanish Senate with the Vox party, where she garnered approximately 387,000 votes, marking her shift from activism to political engagement.
What are the key elements of Aguilera's proposed political approach?
César Reynel Aguilera emphasizes that politics should be based on pragmatism and decency, advocating for a strategic and principled approach to political engagement.