Agustín Pi Martínez, a prominent Cuban activist and leading figure in Convergencia Martiana, confronted a member of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) during an electoral debate in Córdoba. He publicly challenged the representative for supporting the Cuban regime while claiming to champion freedom and justice.
The exchange was captured in two videos shared on Facebook by Convergencia Martiana, a civic platform based in Córdoba that advocates for democratic discourse and documents human rights abuses in Cuba. The first video garnered over 147,000 views.
Pi Martínez, also speaking on behalf of Venezuelan and Nicaraguan communities, addressed Sebastián Pérez Gallardo, the provincial coordinator of Izquierda Unida in Córdoba and a PCE member. He stated, "We understand that the Communist Party of Spain, both historically and currently, fails to condemn the Cuban regime. It neither acknowledges nor investigates the over 1,200 political prisoners incarcerated for purely ideological reasons."
The Core Contradiction
Highlighting a fundamental inconsistency, Pi Martínez questioned, "Why are there political prisoners in Cuba, and why is there only one political party, the Communist Party of Cuba, endorsed by the Constitution? Any attempt to support alternative political movements is criminalized, leading to imprisonment and documented torture."
He also pointed out the irony of the situation: "This democratic activity happening here would be impossible in Cuba, as well as in Venezuela and Nicaragua."
Evading the Issue
The PCE representative's response sidestepped the topic of Cuban political prisoners, focusing instead on Spain’s democratic history and national sovereignty. "No one is going to lecture us on what we've accomplished in Spain. We brought about Spanish democracy," he asserted. He further condemned foreign intervention in other nations through bombings and coups but failed to directly address the specific question posed.
Tensions rose when someone attempted to remove Pi Martínez from the venue, resulting in a scuffle. The activist displayed images of police repression during the July 11 protests and of Cuban political prisoners: María Cristina Garrido, Lisandra Góngora—a mother of five—, Berta Soler, and Ana Sofía. "You are complicit with the Cuban dictatorship," Pi Martínez accused the PCE representative, extending this charge to MEP Manuel Pineda.
Unanswered Questions
Convergencia Martiana encapsulated the unresolved inquiry: "Why do you speak of freedoms, dignity, and justice while whitewashing and justifying a one-party regime that has over 1,200 political prisoners for ideological reasons?"
This incident takes place against a telling political backdrop: In March 2026, Spanish left-wing parties—PSOE, Podemos, and their parliamentary allies—voted against a Congressional resolution condemning the Cuban dictatorship and supporting the formation of political parties in Cuba. The PCE reaffirmed its "unwavering commitment to the Cuban Revolution" that same year.
According to Prisoners Defenders, Cuba currently holds 1,372 political prisoners, including 40 minors, as of November 9, 2026. Pi Martínez's question transcends electoral debate, directly challenging those in Europe who support a dictatorship while espousing the very values that regime suppresses.
Key Questions on Cuba's Political Climate
What is Convergencia Martiana?
Convergencia Martiana is a civic platform based in Córdoba that promotes democratic debate and documents human rights violations in Cuba.
How many political prisoners are currently in Cuba?
As of November 9, 2026, Cuba has 1,372 political prisoners, including 40 minors, according to Prisoners Defenders.
What was the reaction of the Spanish left-wing parties to Cuba's political situation?
In March 2026, Spanish left-wing parties, including PSOE and Podemos, voted against a resolution in Congress that sought to condemn the Cuban dictatorship and support the creation of political parties on the island.