Angel de Fana, a renowned former Cuban political prisoner and an active member of the organization Plantados hasta la Libertad y la Democracia en Cuba, expressed his firm belief on Friday that change in Cuba is imminent. He eagerly declared his intention to be present on the island right before this change takes place.
De Fana's statement was made during an interview with journalist Tania Costa, following his participation in a public presentation of a declaration endorsed by over 145 former Cuban political prisoners. This event took place at the Brigade 2506 Museum in Miami's Little Havana.
“I want to arrive the day before change. I want to be there. I will be there. It's going to happen soon,” De Fana stated with a blend of passion and determination, setting the tone for the conversation.
The Call for Internal Change
The veteran dissident, who endured 20 years in Cuban prisons from 1963 to 1983, was adamant in dismissing the notion that Washington alone should be responsible for instigating change. “Why should Trump and Marco Rubio send Americans to die on Cuban beaches? I can't even hold a rifle,” he remarked, acknowledging his physical limitations at 87 years old but emphasizing that the onus of change also lies with the Cuban people themselves.
De Fana noted that he is well-acquainted with individuals within Cuba who are ready to take action, awaiting only a signal. “There are people truly waiting for the cue to go first, with others ready to follow,” he said, referring to exiled Cubans who he believes are equally prepared to join in.
Drawing Parallels with Historical Shifts
To underscore his belief that seemingly insurmountable situations can shift suddenly, De Fana drew a parallel with the fall of the Soviet bloc. “I don’t know what a Pole, a Russian, or a German thought when dominated by the Soviet Union. They probably thought it would never end. And suddenly, first came Perestroika, followed by everything else. It seems as if directed from above by a mysterious, glorious force,” he reflected.
Demands for Freedom and Reform
The context of this interview is significant. The declaration presented on Wednesday in Miami, dated October 10, 2026, titled "To the People of Cuba and the United States," calls for the unconditional release of all Cuban political prisoners and the decriminalization of dissent as a prerequisite for any dialogue with the regime.
Among the signatories is Guillermo Fariñas, a Sakharov Prize laureate who, according to De Fana, “is there suffering under the dictatorship in Santa Clara,” as well as Humberto de Real, who has endured nearly 30 years of imprisonment.
The document was forwarded to the U.S. Department of State and members of Congress. However, no response had been received by the time of its presentation.
A Vision for Transition
The manifesto ambitiously calls for military personnel to join the people, the acceptance of a temporary transitional government with regime-linked technocrats, and insists that the opposition must be part of it. It reinforces the legitimacy of the Helms-Burton Act as a roadmap, ensuring no Castro remains in power.
De Fana’s personal history lends unique weight to his words. In 1976, while imprisoned in the Combinado del Este, he had already signed a letter alongside 137 other inmates demanding the unconditional release of all political prisoners—a direct precursor to the declaration presented this week, fifty years later.
In April 2026, De Fana had already asserted that Cuba could achieve liberation without U.S. military intervention, pointing to the island's energy crisis and accumulated pressure as factors that could spark a mass mobilization.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Political Change
What is Angel de Fana's stance on foreign intervention in Cuba?
Angel de Fana believes that change in Cuba should not rely solely on foreign intervention. He emphasizes the responsibility of Cubans themselves to instigate change.
How does De Fana compare the situation in Cuba to historical events?
De Fana draws parallels between the current situation in Cuba and the fall of the Soviet bloc, suggesting that seemingly permanent conditions can change suddenly.
What are the main demands of the declaration presented in Miami?
The declaration demands the unconditional release of all Cuban political prisoners and the decriminalization of dissent, among other reforms.