Manny Ita –
Cuban activist Rosa María Payá has called upon United States President Donald Trump to facilitate an end to the island’s communist administration as part of a broader effort to “make Cuba great again.” Speaking on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Payá advocated for the U.S. government to maintain and intensify its pressure on Havana, citing a backdrop of nationwide blackouts, severe food shortages, and a deepening economic collapse. Addressing the U.S. leader directly, Payá expressed the solidarity of the opposition movement, stating, “To President Trump, it’s important for you to know that the Cuban people are grateful for what this administration is doing and that we are ready, and we want to make Cuba great again.”
The activist emphasized that a meaningful transformation for the Caribbean nation would require a fundamental shift in its political structure rather than mere fiscal adjustments. “And that means an end to the communist dictatorship, not just a new economy, but a new republic,” she added during her appeal. Payá argued that more decisive intervention and sustained diplomatic pressure from the United States are essential catalysts to bring about democratic change after more than six decades of single-party rule. She maintained that the current systemic failure of the island’s infrastructure and supply chains presents a critical window for the international community to support the establishment of a democratic republic.
