In a hemispheric context marked by persistent challenges in governance, authoritarianism and economic development, non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in generating ideas, proposals and collaborative networks. The Independent Institute inserts itself into this ecosystem as a relevant actor in the promotion of classical liberal principles, contributing to the debate on the future of societies that face restrictive political systems, such as the case of Cuba.
There are institutions that have been working for decades in favor of citizen rights in general and, even so, sometimes we never get to know them, even though to some extent they favor us, and that is what happened to me with the American Independent Institute, based in Oakland, California, a whopping 40 years ago.
I learned about this NGO thanks to my friend Gabriel Gasave, an Argentine with great personal charm who inspires confidence from the moment you meet him, which motivated me to invite him to my program “Opiniones” on Channel 17 with the purpose of talking about his country and the meaning that his fellow citizens decided, apparently, to break with the most carnivorous version of Peronism, Kirchnerism, and elect an individual with the singularities of Javier Milei.
Gasave, after completing the program, spoke to me with great pride about his work as director of the Center for Global Prosperity in the NGO, an entity that is dedicated to producing research and public policy proposals with the aim of promoting more free, peaceful and prosperous societies, adding that they publish books, articles and an academic journal called The Independent Reviewin addition to organizing events and conferences, and disseminating educational content.
On the other hand, the institution has a blog in Spanish titled “Voices of Freedom”, which has already been in existence for 20 years, and which frequently deals with some of the most critical issues in the hemisphere, such as Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, being, in everything I have seen, the freedom and independence of the person the fundamental touch.
He pointed out to me that the entity’s approach is based on ideas of free markets, limited government, private property and the rule of law, all framed in the tradition of classical liberalism or libertarianism, while maintaining a reasonable distance from political parties, something that seemed very wise to me in these difficult times.
I don’t remember if it was on that occasion or later that he told me about the probability that the Institute would hold an event dedicated to Cuba; Weeks later, he told me that they were already organizing it, that he invited me to it and that he would like to have other Cubans from this region.
Evidently, for the Independent Institute, the plans do not take long to become reality, and on April 20 and 21, together with the Phil Center for Private Enterprise at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), in the city of Boca Raton, they held a conference entitled “Cuba’s path to freedom: a plan for a post-communist transition.”
The meeting was held as planned, and I can properly say that I was extremely satisfied and the same has been expressed to me by my friend and co-participant Dr. Daniel Pedreira, who focused with the knowledge that characterizes him, on “the restoration of the rule of law in Cuba”, a more than arduous task after 67 years of a cocktail of dictatorship and totalitarianism that has lacerated the Cuban nation to its roots.
During the day and a half of the meeting, I listened to very notable people, such as the Argentine constitutionalist, who knows more about Cuba’s Magna Carta than many of us, and Professor Ricardo M. Rojas, I also listened with extreme attention to the journalist and researcher Carlos Mira, a professional who knows in depth the evil of Castro’s subversion throughout the hemisphere, and to a third Argentine, who has distinguished me with his friendship for many years, the director of Atlas, Martín Simonetta, who addressed the issue of investments, technology and the rule of law in the Cuba of tomorrow.
Of course there were Americans and other very talented people who expressed their ideas about the Cuba of the future along with Cubans like Dr. Ricardo E. Calvo, a man with a passion for everything he expressed, he did not doubt that he would not collapse the foundations of the building, and the businessman Nelson Fesas; I believe that all of them, without exception, lived up to what the Independent Institute projected under the leadership of Mrs. Mary Theroux, chairman and CEO of the organization, and Graham Walker, its president.
I will always keep the final night in my memory. Together with Dr. Calvo, they gave me a distinction that I cherish with great affection. Daniel Pedreira translated my words, which were only intended to express my gratitude for everyone’s solidarity in the face of the tragedy of eternal Cuba.
Conclusion
The article highlights that the promotion of freedom is not an isolated effort, but a process that requires articulation between ideas, institutions and people. The Independent Institute, through its work and events such as the one described, contributes to keeping alive the debate about the future of Cuba and other nations with similar challenges. The construction of free and prosperous societies will depend, ultimately, on the ability of these actors to translate principles into concrete actions sustained over time.
Author
Pedro Corzo, Senior Fellow, MSI²
Pedro Corzo is a Cuban historian, essayist, journalist and public intellectual, specialized in the political history of Cuba and Latin America, with a professional career that spans several decades in research, media and documentary production. He is a regular contributor to important Spanish-language media such as El Nuevo Herald, La Prensa, El Mundo and Montonero, as well as multiple digital platforms focused on political analysis and historical memory.
Corzo is host of the program Opinions on WLRN Channel 17, where he leads in-depth discussions on contemporary political and social issues. He has produced 16 historical documentaries, including Zapata, Boitel lives, Those without rights, Dying in installments and Castro’s torturemany of which address political repression, exile, and resistance.
He is the author of 23 books, including Guevara: Anatomy of a myth, Cuban espionage in the United States and The Republic we lostand currently serves as vice president of the Academy of the History of Cuba in Exile and the PEN Cuban Club in Exile.
Disclaimer
Originally published at the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute, a nonpartisan think tank specializing in policy research, strategic intelligence, and consulting. The opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Institute. More information from the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute at www.miastrategicintel.com
