FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31th 2026
Cuban organizations in Europe sign the release agreement in Madrid
The ceremony, organized by Pasos de Cambio, brought together Cubans from different cities in Spain and the rest of Europe in support of the Cuban opposition's roadmap for democratic transition.
MADRID, SPAIN — The Steps for Change coalition celebrated the signing ceremony of the historic Liberation Agreement this Sunday in Madrid, attended by Cuban organizations from various cities in Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain. The Agreement was originally signed on March 2, 2026, in Miami by the two largest coalitions and forces of the Cuban opposition on the island and in exile.
The Agreement was presented by Rosa Maria Paya, founder of Cuba Decide and coordinator of Steps for Change; Brian Infante, representative of the People's Party; Victor Dueñas, director of the NewGeneration Foundation; and Rocío Monasterio, for the first time, as a representative of the advisory board of the Pan-American Democracy Foundation.
Esperanza Aguirre , former President of the Community of Madrid and former President of the Senate of Spain, participated as a guest at the ceremony and shared her experience in solidarity with the cause of freedom in Cuba from Spain.
Rosa María Payá declared at the end of the event:
"An exciting meeting today in Madrid for the signing of the historic Liberation Agreement by Cuban organizations in Europe. Thank you to all the participants of Pasos de Cambio who traveled from different cities in Spain and Europe to support our unity in favor of freedom for Cuba with their presence and commitment. We are determined to work together for a free and democratic Cuba, a republic that is home to all Cubans."
Rocío Monasterio , who signed the Liberation Agreement at the event in Madrid, stated:
"The Liberation Agreement we have signed today in Madrid is the path to freedom for all Cubans. It is extremely important because of the role played by the unity of all opposition groups, and the unity of all Cubans, because all Cubans are already part of the opposition."
The Liberation Agreement establishes a three-phase roadmap for democratic transition—Liberation; Stabilization and Reconstruction; and Democratization—culminating in Cuba's first free, fair, and multiparty elections in over seventy years. It envisions a provisional transitional government with a limited mandate, the immediate release of all political prisoners, the restoration of fundamental freedoms, and the creation of nine specialized working commissions in key areas of national life.
The Madrid ceremony comes at a moment of historic acceleration for the Cuban cause: amid incessant civic protests in Cuba, days after the United States government announced the indictment of Raúl Castro, and following the recent visit of representatives of Steps for Change to the European Parliament, where MEPs from various political groups called for the suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between the European Union and the Cuban regime.
The signing in Madrid represents a concrete step in expanding and building the unity of Cuban democratic forces, and consolidates the Liberation Agreement as a framework for transition recognized on both sides of the Atlantic.
CONTACT: info@pasosdecambio.com
About the Steps of Change
Pasos de Cambio is a platform of Cuban organizations, both on the island and in exile, signatories of the Agreement for Democracy. It serves as a space to share actions aimed at promoting a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba.
