News

On 12 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys met with José Daniel Ferrer, a representative of the Cuban opposition, who was visiting Vilnius. The Minister and the representative of the Cuban opposition discussed the human rights situation in the country and underlined Lithuania's strong position towards the Cuban regime.

Budrys noted that Lithuania intends to continue cooperation and further develop relations with the Cuban democratic opposition forces and civil society organisations.

“Lithuania’s historical experience allows us to understand the Cuban people and their pursuit of a free and democratic society. We support your difficult struggle because we know the horror of life under communist oppression. We see authoritarian regimes working together, so it is our duty to prevent them," the Minister said.

Budrys stressed the need to strengthen EU sanctions against the Cuban regime and to continue cooperation between the U.S. and the EU for democratic change in Cuba.

The Minister stated that the transformation of Lithuania after the occupation into a free market economy-based democracy enables the Cuban opposition to provide expert support for future changes.

José Daniel Ferrer is one of Cuba’s most prominent dissidents, a human rights defender, a political prisoner, and a founder of the Cuban Democratic Opposition Movement - the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU). In 2025, he was awarded the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom for his contribution to the fight for a free and democratic Cuba. José Daniel Ferrer visits Europe to rally European efforts against the ruling Cuban regime.