The ceremony, organized by Pasos de Cambio, brought together Cubans from cities across Spain and the rest of Europe in support of the Cuban opposition’s democratic transition roadmap.
MADRID, SPAIN — The Pasos de Cambio coalition held a signing ceremony in Madrid this Sunday for the historic Freedom Accord, with Cuban organizations from cities across Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland and Spain. The Accord was originally signed on March 2, 2026 in Miami by the two largest coalitions and forces of the Cuban opposition from inside the island and in exile.
The Accord was presented by Rosa María Payá, founder of Cuba Decide and coordinator of Pasos de Cambio; Brian Infante, representative of the Partido del Pueblo; Víctor Dueñas, Director of the NewGeneration Foundation; and Rocío Monasterio, for the first time as a member of the advisory board of the Fundación para la Democracia Panamericana.
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 of solidarity with the cause of Cuba’s freedom from Spain.
Rosa María Payá stated at the close of the event:
“A moving gathering today in Madrid for the signing of the historic Freedom Accord by Cuban organizations in Europe. Thank you to all Pasos de Cambio participants who traveled from cities across Spain and Europe to support with their presence and commitment our unity in favor of Cuba’s freedom. We are determined to work together for a free and democratic Cuba. The republic that will be home to all Cubans.”
Rocío Monasterio, who signed the Freedom Accord at the Madrid ceremony, declared:
“The Freedom Accord that we have signed today in Madrid is the path to freedom for all Cubans. It is of the utmost importance because of the role played by the unity of all opposition groups, and the unity of all Cubans — because all Cubans are now part of the opposition.”
The Freedom Accord establishes a three-phase democratic transition roadmap — Liberation; Stabilization and Reconstruction; and Democratization — culminating in Cuba’s first free, fair and multiparty elections in more than seventy years. It provides for 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 covering the principal areas of national life.
The Madrid ceremony takes place at a moment of historic acceleration for the Cuban cause: amid unceasing civic protests in Cuba, days after the United States government announced the indictment of Raúl Castro, and following the recent visit of Pasos de Cambio representatives to the European Parliament, where Members from across the political spectrum called for the suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) between the European Union and the Cuban regime.
The Madrid signing represents a concrete step in broadening and building the unity of Cuba’s democratic forces, and consolidates the Freedom Accord as a transition framework recognized on both sides of the Atlantic.
CONTACT: info@pasosdecambio.com
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About Pasos de Cambio
Pasos de Cambio is a platform of Cuban organizations, from inside the island and in exile, signatories of the Agreement for Democracy, which serves as a space to coordinate actions aimed at promoting a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba.