We believe that a strong, independent, and diverse civil society is the ultimate guarantor of democratic values. Governments come and go, but the institutions, networks, and communities that citizens build for themselves are the bedrock of a free society. Where civil society is weak or suppressed, democratic values erode — regardless of what a constitution may say on paper.
Widespread citizen participation in national affairs strengthens both the nation and its institutions. When people are active in their communities — whether through civic organizations, independent media, religious institutions, professional associations, or grassroots movements — they build the social trust, shared norms, and collective capacity that make self-governance possible. Civil society is not a supplement to democracy; it is its living foundation.
In Cuba, the suppression of independent civil society has been one of the defining features of the current political system. Organizations that operate outside state control have faced harassment, restrictions, and outright prohibition. Independent journalists, human rights defenders, and community leaders have paid a heavy personal price for their work. Despite these obstacles, Cuba’s civil society has shown extraordinary resilience — and it is that resilience that gives us hope.
We unequivocally support the right of all citizens, including democracy advocates, to participate in the life of the country, and we value the diverse perspectives they bring. A healthy civil society is not a monolith — it encompasses a wide range of voices, priorities, and approaches. That diversity is not a weakness; it is a source of vitality and innovation. The richness of Cuban civil society, both on the island and in the diaspora, reflects the depth and complexity of the Cuban people themselves.
We champion policies and programs that empower civil society, while firmly rejecting any practices that compromise its autonomy or independence. This means supporting legal and institutional frameworks that protect the right to organize, advocate, and operate freely. It means ensuring that civil society organizations have access to the resources, training, and networks they need to be effective. And it means standing up, clearly and consistently, against any attempt to co-opt, silence, or dismantle independent civic life.
Our investment in Cuban civil society is not charity — it is strategy. We know from experience and from evidence that societies with strong, independent civic institutions make faster and more durable transitions to democracy. By strengthening civil society now, we are laying the groundwork for the Cuba that is coming — a Cuba where citizens are not subjects of the state, but its architects and its guardians.