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

Cuba is at an inflection point. The fall of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has cut off one of the island’s most critical lifelines, and combined with mounting U.S. pressure and a structural economic crisis that predates both, the consequences for everyday Cubans are significant and still unfolding.

This panel brings together four scholars with direct expertise in the Cuban economy, political systems, international relations, and human rights to assess what this moment actually means. Where does Cuba go from here? What are the real material conditions on the ground? What does the current U.S. approach get right, and where does it fall short? These are the questions the panel will work through together.

The event also marks the close of Mauricio de Miranda Parrondo’s spring 2026 tenure as Roberto C. Goizueta Distinguished Presidential Fellow at the Cuban Heritage Collection. Presentations will be delivered in both English and Spanish, followed by an open Q&A with the audience.