The wrong choice in Cuba: new commentary by Professor Andrés Velasco

Professor Andrés Velasco, Dean of the School of Public Policy, has published a new Project Syndicate commentary, The Wrong Choice in Cuba, examining current US efforts to reshape Cuba’s political landscape.

In the piece, Professor Velasco critiques the idea that removing political leaders can drive meaningful change. Referencing past US attempts to oust Fidel Castro, he argues that similar strategies today, including pressure on Miguel Díaz-Canel, risk overlooking how power actually operates within the Cuban system.

The article highlights how authority in Cuba extends beyond formal leadership, pointing instead to the enduring influence of Raúl Castro and the networks surrounding him. In this context, leadership change alone is unlikely to shift the direction of governance or unlock reform.

Professor Velasco also situates Cuba within a wider regional picture, noting that approaches used elsewhere in Latin America cannot simply be replicated. Political systems are shaped by distinct histories, incentives, and institutional structures, making quick, externally driven solutions difficult to achieve.

Ultimately, the commentary underscores a broader point: lasting political change is rarely delivered through top-down interventions. Instead, it tends to emerge from deeper transformations within institutions and society itself.

Read the full article on Project Syndicate.