Former Cuban political prisoners demand prisoner release before negotiations

More than 130 former Cuban political prisoners have issued a declaration outlining non-negotiable conditions for any potential political transition in Cuba. In a statement titled “To the People of Cuba and the United States,” the signatories demand the immediate release of all current political prisoners and the decriminalization of dissent before any formal negotiations with the current regime can begin.

Presented at the Brigade 2506 headquarters in Miami, the group emphasized that political prisoners must not be used as bargaining chips in diplomatic discussions. The declaration, which includes members of various generations of former inmates, argues that Cuba’s crisis cannot be resolved through economic reforms managed by existing power structures without fundamental political freedom.

While opposing negotiations with regime members deemed responsible for the country's situation, the group noted they would not rule out a negotiated solution involving a provisional transitional government. This could potentially include military or government officials who do not have “hands stained with blood” and are willing to work toward a democratic future.