The purposed dissidents who speak out the loudest against Cuba’s socialist government often receive democracy aid from abroad, yet some of them are actually state security agents, dissident leader Hector Palacios said.
Very little of the millions of dollars in U.S. democracy funds ever reaches Cuban dissidents, not even 4 percent, Palacios estimates.
Just 10 percent would go a long way in Cuba, but he doesn’t believe that arrives.
Palacios said he’s been invited to “fabulous dinners” aimed at supporting the pro-democracy movement, but doesn’t know what that does to help dislodge Cuba’s socialist government.
He said international solidarity with the democracy movement in Cuba is important, but believes that individuals – not governments – should support the cause. He said:
No government should give money, but if people want to give, that’s fine.
See more of Palacio in 20-minute video on the Cuba Money Project’s Vimeo channel.
