The blogger and founder of Generation Y said that the authorities’ ignorance of the people’s most pressing needs could mark the start of a democratic change.

“That is why the government is afraid of the Internet. It is a system that could not withstand the avalanche of information, internal and external,” she said. “The technology has managed to break some of the barriers and the monopoly of the Cuban government.”

Sánchez also referred to Cuba’s travel and economic reforms.

“I think that the so-called Raulista reforms have been made due to pressure from those outside and inside Cuba,” she said. “And, no doubt, some lights have been lit, such as the immigration policy to which we Cubans were condemned.”

At another point in her appearance, which was celebrated with applause and expressions of support, Sánchez urged the exile community to continue to help Cubans on the island with technology and other items.

“The exile [community] is helping a lot, but can help more,” she said. “Send flash drives, mobile phones, anything you can.”

Toward the end of the session, a couple of people in the audience stood up to challenge her. One of them said that Sánchez does not represent “free journalism.”

Shortly before flying to the United States, Sánchez pointed out that some countries are looking away because they think that “Cuba is being reformed.”

This is Sánchez’s first visit to the U.S. and the fifth stop in a tour of countries in Latin America and Europe.

Next week, Sánchez will go to Washington to appear on Capitol Hill and speak at Georgetown University.

Before arriving in the United States, Sánchez sent a Twitter message expressing her appreciation of Mexico, the country she visited before her U.S. tour.

“#Mexico ‘stole’ my heart; I confess that I was tempted not to board this plane and to stay longer there ;-)" she wrote @yoanisanchez.