Former Polish president Lech Walesa addressed Cuban exiles in Miami, warning of the complexities in transitioning from a communist dictatorship to democracy. Drawing from his experience in Poland, he urged seizing the current political moment but preparing for U.S. interests. He stressed avoiding civil war at all costs.
Lech Walesa, who led the movement ending the communist regime in Poland in 1989 and won the nation's first free elections in over 40 years, spoke on Thursday at the Cuban Diaspora Museum in Miami. As a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Walesa addressed Cuban exiles about the arduous transition they would face if they succeed in overthrowing the island's dictatorship, in place for over 60 years.
In his speech, Walesa advised taking advantage of the political moment represented by Donald Trump, though he clarified that the U.S. president acts in American interests, not Cuban ones. 'You need to take advantage of Trump because he is moving in the right direction but remember that he is moving in the direction of US interests, not Cuban interests. So, you need to be prepared for all of this to converge,' he said.
Walesa drew parallels to Poland, which benefited from Pope John Paul II's presence but later confronted challenges in healing political divisions. He referenced key dates such as May 20, marking the inauguration of the Cuban Republic, and July 11, commemorating widespread protests. He warned that while a swift victory is possible, civil war must be avoided at all costs.
The backdrop includes recent arrests in Cuba, such as those of Kamil Zayas and Ernesto Ricardo Medina, leaders of the independent social media project El4tico, charged with propaganda against the constitutional order and incitement to crimes. Other young people, including Lara Crofs, Yulieta Hernández, Yoandi Montiel, and Sulmira Martínez, have been imprisoned for voicing critical opinions. Walesa emphasized that change largely depends on Cubans from within, and external intervention carries significant political costs.
