On Wednesday, the Estonian government urged the European Union to reconsider its approach towards Cuba and the Castro regime. This followed a meeting between Foreign Minister Margus Tsachna and Orlando Gutierrez Voronat, who is the coordinator for the Cuban Resistance Council (ARC) and contributes to Breitbart News.
ARC is a coalition comprising various opposition groups within Cuba and abroad, advocating for human rights and democracy. Gutierrez Boronat is currently touring Europe, emphasizing the need to condemn the oppressive Castro regime and calling for an end to EU funding directed at a government that has controlled Cuba for over 67 years.
During their meeting, Minister Tsacna and Gutierrez Boronat discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in Cuba and looked into supporting civil society on the island. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Tsacna’s concerns regarding the increasing oppression, including the imprisonment of peaceful protestors and heightened restrictions on freedoms like expression, assembly, and association.
Tsacna drew parallels with Estonia’s past, sharing how their liberation from communist rule inspires his support for the Cuban people’s pursuit of democracy. He stressed the urgent need for robust political and economic reforms in Cuba to alleviate the population’s hardships.
“The Cuban regime has shown a blatant disregard for its citizens’ fundamental rights and has no intention of change,” Tsachna stated. He underlined Estonia’s commitment to fostering ties with Cuba’s democratic opposition to bolster the fight for human rights and political freedoms.
Additionally, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Tsacna and Gutierrez Boronat talked about Cuba’s backing of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This cooperation with Russia and the growing relationship with Belarus contributed to Estonia’s call for a reassessment of EU strategies regarding Cuba.
“Cuba openly supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine and is unwilling to change its stance. The EU needs to consider international law and each country’s view on this aggression when establishing relations,” Tsachna remarked.
The EU has historically maintained a cooperative relationship with Cuba. As part of this, the bloc provided the Castro regime with approximately 155 million euros (around $178 million) for various projects aimed at sustainable development, renewable energy, and economic modernization. Yet, despite these intentions, there’s little evidence suggesting these initiatives have positively impacted the lives of everyday Cubans. ARC has criticized EU funding as bolstering the Castro regime and its repressive mechanisms.
Later that day, following Gutierrez Boronat’s meeting with the Estonian minister, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) passed a resolution denouncing the Cuban regime’s oppression and calling for significant changes within the country.
This resolution garnered 283 votes in favor, opposed by 199, with 85 abstentions. It urges the EU to implement sanctions against the Cuban government, including its president Miguel Díaz-Canel and the GAESA military conglomerate that dominates much of the Cuban economy. The resolution also advocated for the immediate suspension of the EU’s cooperation agreement with Cuba.
“Parliament asserts that any transition should be led by Cubans, encompass all individuals within Cuba and the diaspora, and facilitate the return of exiles without repercussions,” a statement from the European Parliament indicates.
As of late May 2026, the lawmakers noted there were at least 1,281 political prisoners in Cuba, including minors, and called for their immediate release, alongside an end to torture and mistreatment by the regime. The Castro government’s support for Russia and alliances with Belarus were focal points for criticism among MEPs, who also highlighted its collaboration with the regimes in Moscow and Minsk.
