Economic Pressures and Political Prospects in Cuba in the Post-Maduro Era

The removal of Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela has abruptly reshaped the regional landscape and thrust Cuba’s future to the forefront of media and policy attention.
This panel discussion will examine how the loss of Venezuelan support, recent United States actions, and a pre-existing structural crisis are impacting Cuba’s economy and political dynamics. Speakers will assess material consequences for everyday life on the island, prospects for political change, and the risks and opportunities presented by the current U.S. approach.
This event marks the culmination of Mauricio de Miranda Parrondo’s tenure as Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Presidential Fellow at the Cuban Heritage Collection for spring 2026. Drawing on his expertise in the Cuban economy and joined by specialists in Cuban politics, international relations, and human rights, the panel will offer a multidimensional assessment of this pivotal juncture in the island’s history.
Following the panel conversation, there will be a Q&A with the audience. Presentations will be delivered in both English and Spanish.

Mauricio de Miranda Parrondo, Ph.D. - Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Presidential Fellow, Cuban Heritage Collection

Armando Chaguaceda Noriega, Ph.D. - Karl Loewenstein Fellow and Visiting Professor of Political Science, Amherst College

Johanna Cilano Pelaez, Ph.D. - Regional Researcher for the Caribbean, Amnesty International

Michael J. Bustamante, Ph.D. - Emilio Bacardí Moreau Chair in Cuban and Cuban-American Studies; Director of Academic Programs, Cuban Heritage Collection

This panel is organized by the University of Miami’s Cuban Heritage Collection and the Emilio Bacardí Moreau Chair in Cuban and Cuban-American Studies. It is co-sponsored by University of Miami’s Wilbur L. and Jean L. Morrison Endowment for Cuban Studies and Hanley Democracy Center.

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Host or Publisher University of Miami Libraries