Cuban Historian Highlights Widespread Discontent Lacking Leadership

Cuban historian Rolando Gallardo has raised concerns about the widespread discontent in Cuba, pointing out that no opposition party or organization currently possesses the ability to effectively harness this unrest, which he describes as "worrying."

In an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, Gallardo emphasized that the opposition's main mistake is applying traditional solutions to a situation that demands exceptional responses. "Unfortunately, one of our major issues is attempting to address an extraordinary situation with conventional solutions instead of exceptional ones," he stated.

Author of the book "El IV Reich. La conexión verde olivo," Gallardo criticizes the proliferation of opposition parties in exile that lack popular support within Cuba. "I am baffled every time someone announces the creation of a new party and claims their right to do so. Yes, you have every right, but it leads nowhere," he remarked.

Gallardo argues that these parties face significant obstacles: they lack legal backing, cannot raise funds, do not have organized membership on the island, and are therefore unable to organize marches or exert real pressure on the regime.

"There is no opposition party or organization capable of engaging the Cuban population, especially in this climate of widespread discontent. And that is concerning," he asserted.

This fragmentation is not an isolated observation. Opposition leader José Daniel Ferrer summarized it aptly in October 2025 with a widely quoted phrase: "There is no cohesion, coordination, discipline. We have many star players, but no team."

Despite the lack of leadership, the dissatisfaction is real and intensifying. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded over 1,100 protests in April 2026, and Cubalex documented the highest monthly number of demonstrations in March of that year since the 11J uprising in 2021, with slogans that are not just economic but overtly political.

In response to this void, Gallardo suggests moving beyond debates about parties and advancing towards a Civil Transition Council. "It's disheartening to see discussions online about someone starting a new party and how terrible it is because it causes division, rather than focusing on establishing a Civil Transition Council."

Gallardo insists that this council should not be composed of inexperienced individuals, but rather professionals with technical expertise: "We have prominent figures who could lead a Transition Council, including jurists. I'm not talking about random amateurs, but qualified professionals."

He envisions this body serving as a bridge with Washington. "The U.S. Administration is a key player that cannot be ignored. They must be involved, especially considering they were the creators of the Republic of Cuba; let's be clear about that."

Addressing the lack of democratic culture after six decades of dictatorship, Gallardo dismisses using it as an excuse for resignation: "We have endured 60 years, and Cubans have little democratic culture today. But that doesn't mean we should remain eternally subjected to this."

The exile community has made some progress in this direction: in March 2026, they signed the "Liberation Agreement" in Miami, outlining a three-phase roadmap—liberation, stabilization, and democratization—with a plural provisional government, and the plan was ratified by the opposition in June in Madrid. Additionally, the Council for Democratic Transition has been established and is operational. Nevertheless, Gallardo believes that as long as debates focus on who establishes the next party, the opportunity for an organized transition remains open, without anyone stepping forward to seize it.