The Cuban opponent was distinguished by her defense of human rights, in a ceremony headed by Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski.
Madrid, Spain.- Cuban activist Berta Soler, leader of the dissident movement White ladies, It was distinguished on Tuesday with the Solidaridad Lech Wałęsa Award, in a ceremony held at the Biltmore Hotel in Miami and chaired by Poland’s Foreign Minister, Radosłw Sikorski. During the event, the United States Secretary of State was also present, Marco Rubio.
The award recognizes Soler’s trajectory, 61, who has established himself as an emblematic figure in the struggle for human rights in Cuba. Despite facing constant repression, it continues to lead peaceful protests to demand the release of political prisoners. Since 2022, It has been stopped almost every Sunday When he tries to attend Mass in the church of Santa Rita, in Havana, an act that symbolizes his perseverance and commitment to the democratic cause.
“For me it is an honor to deliver the award to Berta Soler, for his courage, resilience and determination,” said Radosław Sikorski when announcing recognition.
For his part, Marco Rubio highlighted the serious consequences that Berta Soler faces with his activism, as well as praised his work during all these years.
Because of the repression that is submitted by the regime, Berta Soler could not be to collect the prize, Irma Santos de Mas Canosa, a widow of Jorge Mas Canosa, made it instead. However, Berta participated online. In her words of thanks, the lady of Blanco said: “Today I cannot be for the communist tyranny of Cuba, which imposes on me the exit without return, a condition that I do not accept, because I stay in Cuba. I am honored and grateful for this award. The ladies of Blanco and I thank you for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland for this recognition, which is the result of 22 years of fighting in Cuba for the freedom of the freedom.
The Solidaridad Lech Wałęsa Award was created in 2014 by Sikorski initiative to honor those who promote democracy and civil rights in the world. That same year, the Cuban opponent Manuel Cuesta Morúa He was nominated for the award for the International Democratic Solidarity Program of the Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL), in recognition of his democratic activism. After several years of suspension, the prize was reactivated in 2024.
Among the award -winning in previous editions are the Tartaro of Crimea Mustafa Dzhemilev, Russian activist Zhanna Nemtsova, and the Belarusian opponent Pavel Latushka. The Selection Committee is chaired by former Polish president and Nobel Peace Nobel owl Wałęsa, and integrates Polish ministers and a Helsinki Foundation representative of Human Rights.
The prize consists of a statuette and an economic endowment of $ 275,000.
Throughout their more than two decades of existence, white ladies have become a symbol of peaceful resistance in Cuba. Dressed in white and wearing gladioles in their Sunday marches, the group has maintained its activism under the current direction of Berta Soler, despite repression and acts of harassment.
In 2005, Blanco ladies received the Sájarov Award for Freedom of Thought of the European Parliament, and their legacy remains marked by figures such as its founder Laura Pollándeceased in 2011, whose leadership consolidated movement as one of the most visible voices against political repression on the island.
