ate that solidarity is vital for the people struggling for freedom. If only other politicians in Latin America, Europe and the whole free world could do something similar to what Obama did during his visit to Cuba, the courage of the Cuban people and their hopes for a better future would be far greater. A psychologist friend of mine told me: " A brilliant, constructive, and encouraging speech. He touched the heart of most of our people." The meeting that thirteen members of the independent civil society held with Obama on Tuesday 22 lasted one hour and forty-five minutes. It was a very supportive gesture of solidarity towards those who fight for a democratic, fair and prosperous Cuba. He listened to us with great respect and sincere attention; he uttered words of praise for those who suffer constant repression and harassment in the struggle for honoring all human rights. We, the guests, shared our views on his policy towards Cuba, his visit and his speech. We also expressed our gratitude for the invitation. Three of those present formulated their criticism of the process that started on December 17, 2014. The US president, with clear and warm words, explained the reasons that led him to assume his current position. Obama seemed very sincere and very knowledgeable of the Cuban reality when he said that if his current policy fails to help the Cuban people to get a better life and to achieve freedom in a few years, then he will publicly assume the failure and will plead for another way. His current policy is only fifteen months old, while the previous one lasted more than half a century without reaching the expected results. All the guests expressed their views and made recommendations. Both President Obama and the State Secretary, John Kerry, paid close attention and wrote down notes. I did not want to be too ambitious. This friend, president of a friendly nation, has done enough for our people and their welfare. Thus, I simply asked him to do all he can— in the conversations with Castro ' s regime— to help Cubans to connect to Internet. I also begged Obama not to forget that, at the end of his term and just ninety miles from his country, there will be still a land needing good and supportive friends. With the help of his welldeserved prestige, he can influence others to look into Cuba in order to show solidarity with the only people under a single-party system in the Western Hemisphere. My colleagues also raised with Obama the important matter of taking the Cuban Diaspora into account, since many Cubans living abroad cannot even get to visit their home country. We talked about political prisoners and the President was given an updated list with their names. Likewise, we discussed the situation of the Afro-Cuban people and the groups marginalized because of their sexual orientation. We further talked about human rights and the repression against peaceful women and men, about the exchanges between the two nations, free elections, and the future. This meeting was an unforgettable encounter, just like his visit and his brilliant speech. The dictatorship fully understood the scope
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