19
May
2026
Watch
Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba (debate)
Madam President, Madam High Representative, Cuba is not a humanitarian crisis, Cuba is a dictatorship. The regime keeps its people in misery while its elites live as kings, and it is sustained thanks to Venezuela, China, Iran and, unfortunately, in part thanks to European money. Because we have been sending aid and cooperation for decades, but the results are devastating: More political prisoners, more misery, more repression and a mass exodus of Cubans from countries at war. That is why, Mrs Kallas, I ask myself several questions. Who really audits that European funds reach the Cuban people and not the regime's repressive apparatus? And why do we still not investigate Plus Ultra, an airline rescued with Spanish public money and that today is at the service of the Cuban regime? Luis Garicano denounced it in 2021 and Dolors Montserrat again demanded explanations just a few days ago. And maybe today we understand why no one wanted to look too hard: Former President Zapatero has been charged in this case for alleged money laundering, criminal organization, documentary falsity and influence peddling. And there is another uncomfortable question that this Parliament should ask itself: How do we maintain a Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with a dictatorship after 67 years of failed diplomacy?