Our Mission

Democratic Spaces is a Canadian civil society initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the reality of repression in Cuba and amplifying the voices of those peacefully struggling for democracy. Founded and directed by Michael Lima Cuadra, a human rights defender and researcher specializing in Cuba and Latin America, the organization works to ensure that the stories, demands, and aspirations of the Cuban people are heard beyond the island.

Through engagement with think tanks, media outlets, policymakers, international partners, and civil society organizations, Democratic Spaces brings international attention to the human rights crisis in Cuba and promotes informed dialogue about the country’s future. Our work seeks to ensure that the voices of pro-democracy activists, political prisoners, independent journalists, and civil society leaders are not silenced or forgotten.

After more than six decades of authoritarian rule, one of the longest-lasting dictatorships in Latin American history, Cuba continues to experience widespread repression, political imprisonment, forced exile, and systematic violations of fundamental freedoms. Democratic Spaces believes that greater international awareness and solidarity are essential to supporting the Cuban people in their peaceful pursuit of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.

Guided by the principle that meaningful change requires both visibility and civic engagement, Democratic Spaces promotes peaceful advocacy rooted in the ideals of José Martí’s “conciliación de voluntades,” (conciliation of wills) encouraging collaboration among human rights defenders and democratic actors working toward a shared goal: a free, democratic, and inclusive Cuba.

Working alongside more than thirty partner organizations across Canada, Cuba, the United States, Spain, and other countries, Democratic Spaces seeks to build solidarity within Canadian society and among democratic institutions. By informing parliamentarians, engaging civil society, and mobilizing public awareness, the organization aims to strengthen international support for those in Cuba who are leading the peaceful struggle for democracy and human rights.

Feb. 24, 2026. Presentation of our report Cuba and the Authoritarian Nexus: Internal Repression, External Aggression, and Illiberal Partnerships with Christopher Coates, Director of Foreign Policy, National Defence and National Security at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and Sarah Teich, Co-Founder of the Human Rights Action Group and Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

Our Cuba Policy Needs a rethink, The Hamilton Spectator, June 5. 2025.

Debating Cuba’s authoritarian alliances with Russia, China, and Venezuela at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute in Ottawa.

Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces at a rally held on Sparks Street in Ottawa, Canada calling for the release of all Cuban Prisoners of Conscience. August 15, 2021.

Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces giving a presentation on the key role of human rights in Canada-Cuba relations at Kildare House, Macdonald Laurier Institute in Ottawa, Canada as a part of the event, “Canada-Cuba in the Context of Global Authoritarianism.” Nov 15. 2022.

Michael Lima, Dir of Democratic Spaces at the entrance if the Senate of Canada during the presentation of Motion No. 4 calling for the illegitimacy of the Cuban regime. March 24, 2022.

On January 26, 2022, Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces was invited by the legal/human rights Spain based NGO Prisoners Defenders to attend an event co hosted by CADAL, and members of the European Union such as Dita Charanzová, Vice President of the European Parliament, Juan Pappier, senior researcher at Human Rights With, Javier Nart, Member of the European Parliament in the Renew Europe Group in which over 1,000 Cuban doctors filed a complaint to the United Nations and the International Criminal Court on modern slave condition in missions abroad.

Michael Lima, Director of Democratic Spaces (left) at the Transatlantic Parliamentary Coalition for a Free Cuba held in the US Congress in Washington DC. May 12, 2022.

INITIATIVES

Democratic Spaces actively works in support of the following initiatives/projects: