On November 3, Rosa María Payá is set to present the Transition Plan for Cuba to assembled heads of state and foreign ministers in Madrid during the 30th Ibero-American Summit. This marks the most ambitious effort by the Cuban opposition to secure international support for a regime change on the island.
The announcement was made by the activist and founder of Cuba Decide through a video on Instagram, shortly after she received the XIII FAES Freedom Award in Madrid. This accolade was shared with Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, and Iranian activist Masih Alinejad.
In the video, Payá extended an invitation: "I want to invite you all, on November 3, in this same city, alongside foreign ministers and heads of state attending the 30th Ibero-American Summit, to join in the presentation of the team, the plan, and the capacities being developed and built for Cuba's transition."
The Significance of the Ibero-American Summit
The presentation is scheduled to coincide with the inaugural Ibero-American Digital Forum, a precursor to the summit itself, which will take place on November 4 and 5 under the leadership of King Felipe VI, with participation from the 22 countries of the Ibero-American Community, including Cuba.
The plan to be presented is an evolution of the Liberation Agreement signed in Miami on March 2, 2026, by Steps of Change and the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance (ARC). Over 30 Cuban opposition and civic organizations, including José Daniel Ferrer's Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), have joined this effort.
Blueprint for Change in Cuba
This document outlines a roadmap divided into four phases: Liberation—which includes ending the current political system and the release of over 1,000 political prisoners—Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Democratization, with the ultimate goal of free, multiparty, and internationally supervised elections.
The proposed transitional institutional structure features a 51-member parliament and an executive branch with a president and two vice presidents, along with nine technical commissions focusing on areas such as humanitarian emergencies, security, economy, health, education, and justice. An expanded version of the agreement was ratified in Madrid on June 1, 2026.
Empowering the Cuban People
In her address to the FAES Foundation, Payá emphasized that the initiative aims for more than just a change in leadership: "We do not simply aspire to replace those in power. We want to return power to the citizens. This is our task, and we are ready to take it on."
She also clearly articulated her vision for Cuba: "We want a Cuba where the law protects citizens, not those who govern. Where no one is imprisoned for thinking differently. Where Cubans can choose and change their leaders. Where no young person has to choose between their future and their homeland. And where no child has to learn to stay silent to survive."
Building International Support
The Liberation Agreement has garnered international backing in recent months, receiving a formal proclamation from the Florida State Senate in April and reaching the Italian Senate in June 2026.
The choice of venue is strategic: the Ibero-American Summit will bring together the top leaders from the 22 member countries, making it an unprecedented platform for political visibility for the Cuban opposition.
Payá concluded her message with a direct call to action: "We are on the brink of dawn in Cuba. When it arrives, let Spain and the free world stand with the Cuban people."
Understanding the Transition Plan for Cuba
What is the Transition Plan for Cuba?
The Transition Plan for Cuba is a comprehensive proposal aimed at facilitating a regime change on the island through a four-phase roadmap: Liberation, Stabilization, Reconstruction, and Democratization.
Who is Rosa María Payá?
Rosa María Payá is an activist and the founder of Cuba Decide, known for her efforts to promote democratic change in Cuba. She is also the daughter of the late Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá.
What is the Liberation Agreement?
The Liberation Agreement is a document signed by several Cuban opposition and civic organizations that outlines the steps needed to transition Cuba from its current political system to a democratic one.