As for the notion that the Cuban people dig this normalization push . . .

Here's a partial rundown of some dissidents' reactions:

"Sadly, President Obama made the wrong decision. The freedom and democracy of the Cuban people will not be achieved through these benefits that he's giving -- not to the Cuban people -- but to the Cuban government. The Cuban government will only take advantage to strengthen its repressive machinery, to repress civil society, its people and remain in power."

-- Berta Soler, leader of The Ladies in White.

"[Alan Gross] was not arrested for what he did, but for what could be gained from his arrest. He was simply bait and they were aware of it from the beginning... Castroism has won, though the positive result is that Alan Gross has left alive the prison that threatened to become his tomb."

-- Yoani Sanchez, Cuban blogger and independent journalist, 14ymedio.

"The Cuban people are being ignored in this secret conversation, in this secret agreement that we learned today. The reality of my country is there is just one party with all the control and with the state security controlling the whole society. If this doesn’t change, there’s no real change in Cuba. Not even with access to Internet. Not even when Cuban people can travel more than two years ago. Not even that is a sign of the end of the totalitarianism in my country."

--Rosa Maria Paya, daughter of murdered Christian Liberation Movement leader, Oswaldo Paya.

"[Obama's announcement] is horrible and disregarding the opinion of [Cuban] civil society sends a bad message. The acceptance of neo-Castroism in Cuba will mean greater support for authoritarianism in the region and, as a consequence, human rights will be relegated to a secondary role."

-- Antonio Rodiles, head of Estado de Sats.

"Alan Gross was used as a tool by the Castro regime to coerce the United States. Obama was not considerate of Cuban citizens and of the civil society that is facing this tyrannical regime. In Miami, Obama promised that he would consult Cuba measures with civil society and the non-violent opposition. Obviously, this didn't happen. That is a fact, a reality. He didn't consider Cuba's democrats. The betrayal of Cuba's democrats has been consummated."
-- Guillermo Fariñas, former Sakharov Prize recipient.
"The Obama Administration has ceded before Castro's dictatorship. Nothing has changed. The jails remain filled, the government represents only one family, repression continues, civil society is not recognized and we have no right to assemble or protest... The measures that the government of the United States has implemented today, to ease the embargo and establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, will in no way benefit the Cuban people. The steps taken will strengthen the Castro regime's repression against human rights activists and increase its resources, so the security forces can keep harassing and repressing civil society."
--Angel Moya, former political prisoner of the Black Spring (2003).
"We are in total disagreement with what has transpired today. It's a betrayal of those who within Cuba have opposed the regime in order to achieve definitive change for the good of all Cubans."
-- Felix Navarro, former political prisoner and co-head of the Cuban Patriotic Union (UNPACU).

 

And this item from June:

Last week, we posted a document signed by over 550 Cuban democracy activists from within the island, urging the international community to support democracy activists in Cuba and Venezuela, and to impede efforts to ease sanctions against the Castro regime.

Over 830 democracy activists have now signed this document.

The effort, led by Cuban democracy leader Jorge Luis Garcia Perez "Antunez" and his wife, Yris Perez Aguilera -- both of whom were violently arrested yesterday -- also has the support of Berta Soler, leader of The Ladies in White; former prisoners of conscience (from the Black Spring of 2003) Angel Moya and Librado Linares Garcia; and independent labor leaders Ivan Hernandez Carrillo and Jorge Olivera.

In Cuba, it's easy (and even wins you favor) to state opposition to U.S. sanctions, but expressing support is punishable with up to 15 years in prison.

Thus, contemplate the courageous effort by each these democracy activists and the message they are trying to send to Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others seeking to ease sanctions on the Castro regime.

The Left will point to the smiling crowds marching down Havana's broad boulevards, but the regime has always been able to amass rallies for Castro's speeches, anniversary celebrations, sports events and the like.

H/T: Humberto Fontova at Townhall.