158 years after the first call for independence: the Cuba we still seek

Malecón90 | Editorial | October 10, 2026

On October 10, 1868, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes began a struggle at La Demajagua that would forever change Cuba's history. The Ten Years' War began that day, along with an aspiration that would span generations: to build a free, sovereign nation in command of its own destiny.

One hundred fifty-eight years have passed. Cuba left Spanish colonial rule behind, saw the birth of the Republic and went through profound political transformations. Yet questions about freedom, rights and its citizens' future remain.

Today, as millions of Cubans endure blackouts, shortages and economic hardship, many others have had to build their lives far from the island. Separated families, parents growing old without their children and young people who regard emigration as one of their few alternatives reflect a reality far removed from the dreams of prosperity that accompanied the building of the nation.

The independence won by generations of patriots is a historical fact. Its meaning also invites reflection on individual freedoms, economic opportunity and every citizen's right to participate in shaping the country's destiny.

José Martí imagined a republic with everyone and for the good of everyone. More than a century later, those words retain their power to challenge us, especially in a society marked by deep political divisions and a vast diaspora.

Cuba belongs both to those who remain there and to those who carry it with them anywhere in the world. No ideology, government or border can claim exclusive ownership of its identity.

This October 10 should be more than a date for remembering heroes and battles. It is also an opportunity to ask what country the next generations will inherit.

Because 158 years after that first call for independence, Cuba's history remains open. And the homeland so many dreamed of is still a shared responsibility.