On Wednesday, Belén Hoyo Juliá, a member of Spain's Popular Party (PP), delivered a stirring speech in the Spanish Congress, reacting to a non-binding resolution by Sumar that urged the government to champion the defense of Cuba in the European Union against the U.S. embargo.
A non-binding resolution is a parliamentary initiative where the Congress expresses its stance on an issue or urges the government to take specific action.
Sumar's initiative called on Pedro Sánchez's government to lead efforts within the EU to oppose what they termed the "economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States" on Cuba. However, the resolution failed, garnering 163 votes in favor, 170 against, and 13 abstentions.
The Impact of Belén Hoyo's Speech on Cuba
Belén Hoyo's address quickly went viral among Cuban social media users. The speech was shared across platforms like Facebook by various opposition figures, including José Daniel Ferrer García, the founder of the UNPACU.
In her speech, Hoyo Juliá criticized the Sumar proposal for lacking any mention of terms like "dictatorship," "political prisoners," "censorship," "repression," or "persecution."
"This isn't an issue of misinformation; it's a matter of choice. You've chosen to side with the oppressors instead of their victims," Hoyo declared to the assembly.
She addressed Sumar's Enrique Santiago with biting sarcasm, highlighting the irony of defending the Cuban Revolution from the comfort of Spanish democracy: "How easy it is to praise a one-party system from a seat secured in free elections."
A Striking Contrast: Freedom vs. Repression
Hoyo's speech reached its peak with a powerful comparison: "For you, freedom; for Cubans, repression; for you, pluralism; for Cubans, a single party; for you, change; for Cubans, resignation," she stated emphatically.
Hoyo was unflinching in her characterization of the Cuban regime: "Cuba is a dictatorship, one that has denied entire generations democracy and freedom for over sixty years," she asserted, rejecting the notion that the "Cuban people" are synonymous with the Castro regime.
"The Cuban people are not the Castro regime. They are those who have been silenced and persecuted, those who live in fear on the island, and those who have fled, choosing between their homeland and their liberty."
Her speech also included a pointed critique of the PSOE and its historical leaders. According to Hoyo, "Zapatero found a way to do business through complicity with certain Latin American dictatorships," while "Pedro Sánchez has discovered a new governance style, where anything goes if it keeps him in power."
International Context and Future Hope
In the same debate, Santiago argued that the Cuban people are being "slowly exterminated" by the embargo, attributing a "humanitarian crisis" in the island to the United States.
This debate arises amid mounting international pressure on the Cuban regime. In June 2026, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for individual sanctions against Díaz-Canel and GAESA leaders, with 283 votes in favor.
Hoyo concluded her speech with a message of hope directed at Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans alike. "The day will come when Cubans, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans can vote freely. On that day, some of us here will be able to look them in the eye and affirm that we stood with them, defending democracy and freedom, never justifying, excusing, or whitewashing the regime that oppressed them."
Understanding the Spanish Political Stance on Cuba
What was the main message of Belén Hoyo's speech?
Belén Hoyo's speech emphasized that the Spanish Congress should not support the Cuban regime, highlighting the contrast between the freedom enjoyed in Spain and the repression faced by Cubans.
Why did Sumar's proposal fail in the Spanish Congress?
Sumar's proposal, which aimed to counter the U.S. embargo on Cuba, failed because it did not gain enough support in the Spanish Congress, receiving more votes against than in favor.
How did Belén Hoyo describe the Cuban regime?
Belén Hoyo described the Cuban regime as a dictatorship that has denied democracy and freedom to generations for over sixty years.