In Cuba, thinking differently is still a crime.
We are Cubans in Cuba, Costa Rica, the United States and Panama. We work for a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba and for the freedom of all political prisoners.
Join us Read Boris Betancourt's testimony →Camino a la Democracia Pacífica de Cuba is an international organization formed and backed by Cubans living in Cuba, Costa Rica, the United States and Panama, committed to defending human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values.
To work for respect and defense of human rights in Cuba through peaceful means, civic education and dialogue. To empower citizens, promote democratic participation and strengthen awareness of fundamental freedoms.
A free Cuba where everyone lives without fear and with their rights respected. A real democracy where every Cuban can speak, choose and take part without persecution. A united, fair Cuba open to dialogue, where thinking differently is never again a crime.
Founded in Costa Rica in 2019 by Boris Mauricio Betancourt Hernández, an opponent of the regime since age 16 and a member of the Varela Project led by Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas. Today it brings together 150 active members, Cubans and others, committed to a free and democratic Cuba.
Testimony · Boris BetancourtMy life, my persecution and my fight for a free CubaBoris tells, in his own words, of his childhood in El Cerro, the Varela Project, more than thirty arrests, Villa Marista and exile.Read his story →
Boris Betancourt thanks Panama for refusing his extradition and asks that the Cuban dictatorship not be allowed to silence the organization in Panama.
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After 27 months in detention over a red notice requested by Havana, the Panamanian government refused to hand him over to the regime.
Read →Cubans living in Panama demanded freedom for political prisoners and for Boris Betancourt, with banners, caps and the organization's shirts.
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With the prisoners' faces printed on posters, members of the organization called for freedom for all of them.
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What we are doing right now. Pick one and join in: with a donation, by sharing it or by lending a hand.
What we have achieved.
“Do not let the Cuban dictatorship silence us in Panama.”
On October 26, 2026 our president, Boris Mauricio Betancourt Hernández, published in La Prensa an open letter to the President of the Republic of Panama. These are his points.
He was arrested in Panama on February 16, 2024 on an Interpol red notice requested by Cuba, even though Cuba's own registry certifies he has no criminal record.
He spent 27 months deprived of his liberty, part of it in the maximum-security sector of La Nueva Joya, where he says he received threats against his life.
He requested political asylum on April 30, 2024. It was denied the same day Cuba's extradition request was formalized.
He reports that Cuban State Security visited and pressured his family on the island, and holds the Cuban government responsible for their safety.
He thanks the Panamanian government for denying the extradition in 2026 and asks for one thing:
“Do not let the Cuban dictatorship silence us in Panama.”
Read the full letter in La Prensa (Spanish)
Here we publish the complaints the organization decides to make public. If yours needs to stay private, use the confidential channel.
Go to confidential report
In Cuba, thinking differently is still a crime.
That is why we are here.
A cell. A window. Iron bars.
The light comes in even when they try to stop it.
And one day, the bars open.
According to Prisoners Defenders, May 2026. Each candle stands for ten people. prisonersdefenders.org
40of them were detained while still minors.
Arrested in Panama on February 16, 2024 on a red notice requested by Cuba. 27 months in prison. In 2026 Panama denied his extradition. His case shows how far the regime goes to silence those who think differently.
This channel is for reporting human rights violations in Cuba or persecution of Cubans abroad. We do not ask for your name. What you write reaches only the board of directors.
Your donation pays for banners, transport to marches, legal proceedings and humanitarian support for the families of political prisoners.
Choose your giftPrefer a bank transfer or cash? Write to us and we will tell you how.
We collect supplies for the families of political prisoners and for Cubans who arrive with nothing. Message us before you bring them and we will arrange where and when to drop them off.
Soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, sanitary pads, diapers.
Arrange a drop-off
Rice, beans, pasta, canned goods, cooking oil, powdered milk, sugar and coffee. Non-perishable only.
Arrange a drop-off
Clean clothes for adults and children, coats, new underwear, socks and shoes in good condition.
Arrange a drop-offWe only accept new or good-condition items, clean and not expired. We do not send or receive cash through this channel.
Cubans in Panama in red caps and white shirts. One line, one demand.
What gets you jailed on the island, we write here in big letters: down with the dictatorship.
His children marched too. Boris was being held in Panama at the request of the Cuban regime.
We handed out his photo so no one could say they didn't know.
Fists raised and not a single stone. Our only weapon is our voice.
That Panama close the Cuban embassy until political prisoners are freed and Cuba holds elections.
A vigil with the faces of political prisoners. Each one is a name we will not forget.
We are 150 active members. We need volunteers for outreach, translation, events, legal support and accompanying families.
An international organization founded in Costa Rica in 2019, formed by Cubans living in Cuba, Costa Rica, the United States and Panama, that defends human rights and promotes a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba through civic education, dialogue and international solidarity.
Boris Mauricio Betancourt Hernández, an opponent of the Cuban regime since age 16 and a member of the Varela Project led by Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas. He is its president.
Yes. We accept personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, and clothing and shoes in good condition for the families of political prisoners and newly arrived Cubans. Message us on WhatsApp at +507 6566-9861 to arrange the drop-off.
According to Prisoners Defenders, in May 2026 there were 1,281 political prisoners in Cuba, 40 of them detained while minors. The figure is updated monthly at prisonersdefenders.org.
Through the confidential report form on this website: we do not ask for your name and what you write reaches only the board of directors. Also on WhatsApp at +507 6566-9861 from a safe number.
In the Donate section you choose an amount and we assist you by WhatsApp or bank transfer; in Volunteer you leave your details and how you want to help: outreach, translation, events, legal support or accompanying families of political prisoners.
No. It works exclusively through peaceful means: marches, vigils, letters, complaints before international bodies and civic education.
Spokespeople available in Spanish and English. We reply the same day.
Photos of our marches (free to use, credit the organization)
Reach us on whichever channel you prefer. We read and answer every message.
HoursMonday to Sunday, 6:00 to 18:00 (Panama time)
