An individual identified as Lucía Céspedes Ocampo, a Cuban living in Guadeloupe—a French overseas region—and known for her vocal support of Havana's regime, made an attempt this Tuesday in Madrid to disrupt the unveiling of the political transition plan "Cuba on the Threshold," led by opposition figure Rosa María Payá.
The incident took place during an event organized by Pasos de Cambio and Cuba Decide, ahead of the upcoming XXX Ibero-American Summit, scheduled for November 4th and 5th in the Spanish capital. Céspedes Ocampo, who was not on the event's agenda, took the stage and declared that "one cannot talk about the Cuban people and what is happening without denouncing the U.S. government's harassment policy against our people."
The audience countered with shouts of "Freedom!", "Long live Free Cuba!" and "Freedom for political prisoners!" as Céspedes Ocampo was escorted out. A video shared on social media by CubaNet captures attendees pointing out that Céspedes Ocampo had recently appeared alongside leader Miguel Díaz-Canel on Cuba's National Television News.
Throughout 2026, Céspedes Ocampo amassed a notable history of public support for the regime. In April, a video of her in Tenerife went viral as she shouted "Long live my president Díaz-Canel!" and hurled insults at the Cuban diaspora.
Later in the year, she endorsed the official campaign "My Signature for the Homeland" and backed the Cuban government's economic measures. On September 25, she featured on state news during a visit by Díaz-Canel to Havana's La Timba neighborhood, publicly thanking him for his leadership.
Contradictions in Céspedes Ocampo's Life
Independent media highlighted the contradiction between Céspedes Ocampo's communist rhetoric and her life in the West: she is a private cardiologist registered in France with RPPS number 10100518124 and runs a practice in Sainte-Rose, Guadeloupe, where she has practiced privately since January 2016.
After her removal, Payá resumed the microphone with resolve. "The reality is that the Cuban people are indeed experiencing their darkest moment. And it's happening because of 67 years of communism," she stated. She directly blamed "the Castro family and the group of generals who have been in power for 67 years" for the humanitarian disaster preventing Cuban mothers from feeding their children or caring for their elders.
Payá also extended an invitation to the interrupter: "This is also for that young woman who, if she is willing to listen, is welcome back." She added that the plan "is for all Cubans, even those currently entangled in the totalitarian institutions of that dictatorship, because they, too, need liberation."
Unveiling "Cuba on the Threshold"
The "Cuba on the Threshold" program, presented in the presence of figures like the OAS Secretary General and the Dominican Foreign Minister, outlines four phases—Liberation, Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Democratization—that include the release of over 1,000 political prisoners and culminate in free elections under international supervision.
"Freedom is not a gift from power, it's a right that belongs to us," Payá concluded to the applause of the audience.
Understanding the Political Tensions in Cuba
Who is Rosa María Payá?
Rosa María Payá is a prominent Cuban opposition leader and activist advocating for democratic reform in Cuba. She is the daughter of the late Oswaldo Payá, a well-known dissident.
What is the "Cuba on the Threshold" program?
The "Cuba on the Threshold" program is a proposed political transition plan aiming to guide Cuba through phases of Liberation, Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Democratization, ultimately leading to free elections.
Why did Lucía Céspedes Ocampo attempt to disrupt the event?
Lucía Céspedes Ocampo, known for supporting the Cuban regime, attempted to disrupt the event to protest what she perceives as U.S. harassment of Cuba, defending the current government's stance.