Carolina Barrero, who leads the organization Ciudadanía y Libertad, traveled to Washington during the week marking the fifth anniversary of July 11th. Her mission was to demand that Cuba's civil society have a seat at the table in any negotiations concerning the island's future. This call comes amidst acknowledged talks between the regime and the U.S. government.
In a video released on her X account on Monday, Barrero was unequivocal: "Civil society must be part of any negotiation. Nothing regarding Cuba should proceed without the involvement of its people."
She described the current situation as an unprecedented turning point: "For the first time in 67 years, the regime is on shaky ground. Change has begun, and it is irreversible."
Her primary warning is against the risk of this change merely being a reshuffling of power among elites: "The only way to squander this moment is by trading it for a negotiated succession. New faces, same structure, economic control, and impunity. That's precisely what the regime offers."
The Non-Negotiable Conditions
Before any agreement is reached, Barrero outlined conditions that must be met: unconditional freedom for political prisoners, the inclusion of civil society in any dialogue, free elections, truth, justice, and assurances against recurrence.
Together with Freedom House, Ciudadanía y Libertad engaged in discussions with congressional offices from both parties, State Department officials, think tanks, international human rights organizations, and diplomatic missions in Washington.
The organization also advocated for a dedicated hearing on Cuba in the U.S. Congress, pushing for a bipartisan commitment to democracy, human rights, and accountability.
Secretive Negotiations and Exclusions
Barrero's demands arise amid negotiations that the regime itself has publicly acknowledged. On July 10, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz confirmed that a team is negotiating with the endorsement of Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro. The U.S. had already confirmed in April that discussions were continuing "at the highest level" of its government.
However, these talks occur behind closed doors, excluding both the formal government and the opposition. Activists highlight that Washington is negotiating directly with the Castro family, bypassing civil society. Key issues under discussion include migration, energy, tourism, ports, and compensation for confiscated properties.
Díaz-Canel has insisted that any dialogue should be "between equals, without pressure and respecting Cuban sovereignty," ruling out any changes to the political system. The Cuban opposition has been sidelined from these talks from the outset.
Parallels with Venezuela
The situation draws inevitable comparisons with Venezuela in Washington circles.
In January, Marco Rubio announced a three-phase plan for Venezuela's transition—stabilization, recovery, and democratic transition with free elections—a framework that congress members like María Elvira Salazar suggest could be applied to Cuba.
Barrero and her group aim to ensure that any similar framework for Cuba involves civil society from the start.
International Advocacy Efforts
Ciudadanía y Libertad's international advocacy intensified in 2026. In April, they traveled to Brussels seeking the suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Cuba. In June, Barrero and José Daniel Ferrer presented human rights violation complaints to the OAS.
The backdrop remains grim: five years after the July 11th protests, Cuba holds 1,306 political prisoners, a historic high, with 338 still jailed for participating in the 2021 demonstrations. The April pardon, which released 2,010 inmates, specifically excluded those convicted of "crimes against authority," a charge used to criminalize protestors.
"Freedom, justice, and fundamental rights are non-negotiable," Barrero asserted. "They are the foundation of a lasting democratic peace for Cuba."
Understanding the Push for Civil Society's Role in Cuba's Negotiations
Why is Carolina Barrero demanding civil society's inclusion in negotiations about Cuba's future?
Carolina Barrero believes that any negotiations regarding Cuba's future should include the voices of its civil society to ensure that decisions are made with the Cuban people's input and not solely by the regime and external powers.
What are the non-negotiable conditions set by Barrero for any agreement?
Barrero's non-negotiable conditions include the unconditional release of political prisoners, civil society's participation in dialogues, free elections, truth, justice, and assurances against recurrence.
What are the central issues in the secretive negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba?
The secretive negotiations reportedly focus on issues such as migration, energy, tourism, ports, and compensation for confiscated properties, excluding both the Cuban government and the opposition from discussions.