MIAMI (WSVN) - The Cuban community in South Florida is reacting to the recent announcement by the Cuban government that it is in talks with the U.S. aimed at resolving the two nations’ differences.
In a Friday morning announcement, Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed reports of talks that had been swirling since the beginning of the year. Despite the Cuban regime denying the reports for weeks, Diaz-Canel said the talks aim to find solutions through dialogue.
The announcement stirred up lots of emotion among the Cuban exile community in Miami, with some calling it a hoax while others said they are hopeful the talks could lead to real change on the island.
The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance held an event in West Miami-Dade following Diaz-Canel’s remarks, where they dismissed the idea of talking to the regime without political change on the island.
“What Diaz-Canel basically said today was this dictatorship is engaging with the U.S. in conversations, but we are not changing politically. We are remaining as we are. We are remaining as a dictatorship,” said Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat.
U.S. Congressman Carlos Gimenez, who represents parts of South Florida, echoed a similar sentiment, telling 7News that Cuba’s announcement is a means to buy the communist regime more time ahead of U.S. midterm elections.
“I’m skeptical of changes in Cuba. I mean, this is, again, what they do,” he said. “There will be no relief from the conditions you are suffering today unless there is a political change.”
Gimenez said he applauds Cuba for releasing 51 prisoners on Thursday night, but it doesn’t mean they will actually make additional political concessions.
“They make some grand gesture or little gesture and say, ‘Oh, look, we’re changing!’ They’re not changing. Fifty-one political prisoners out of 1,400! That’s not a change,” he said.
Cuba’s announcement comes after months of turmoil and an economic crisis on the island, including major power outages and supply shortages. Additionally, Cuba has seen a lack of oil imports following the U.S.’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Earlier this month, President Trump told CNN that Cuba is going to fall pretty soon and that the government wants to make a deal.
“And it may be a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover, it wouldn’t matter because they’re really in, they’re down to, as they say, fumes,” said Trump.
Back in South Florida, Sebastian Arcos, Director of Florida International University’s Cuban Research Institute, said the Cuban regime is buying time.
“They want to wait until November for the midterm elections. They want to wait three years until Trump leaves and perhaps, who knows, who will come after, they want to play for time,” said Arcos.
At Versailles Restaurant in Little Havana, home to one of the largest Cuban communities in the world, residents enjoying their Friday had plenty to say about the news of talks between the two nations.
“If you want to see what Cuba would have been without the government, you’re looking at it in Miami. This is the current– This is what Cuba could have been. And it’s beautiful, and I’m glad that I’m able to at least live my heritage here. I would never go back to Cuba,” said resident Waldo Toyes.
“No one knows the truth,” said Ali Corales, a Cuban American. “I feel like this could be the time something actually changes, or it could be just another attempt, but we don’t lose hope, because that’s all we have.”
“I think it’s the right thing to do. Us as America should always talk to governments regardless of their political position. Stop bombing countries, stop invading countries. Talk to them,” said resident Carlos Azette.
Overall, those at Versailles said it’s a wait-and-see moment for the island nation.
“Who knows? We might all get to go back to our homes soon, so we’ll see. But we’re very excited. I think that these are very good conversations. I think Donald Trump has done an excellent job,” said resident Alejandro Vega.
Meantime, the City of Miami Police Department released a statement on Friday, saying they’re preparing for any major celebrations in the event we do see a change in Cuba.
The City of Miami shared a memo with 7News outlining a mass migration plan in the event of Cuba’s change. Some of those pages read in part:
“Mass Migration is a possibility due to our geographic location. The main problem posed by a mass migration event is the City’s ability to assimilate migrants without affecting our already strained economy and infrastructure (health, medical, social services, etc). State and Local governments do not have Federal immigration authority. The City will therefore prioritize public safety for its residents, humanitarian aid to those in need, and support to the Federal Government in the fulfillment of its mission.”
The Miami Herald reported that the Cuban government has approved measures to allow Cubans living abroad to own businesses on the island. Cuba’s vice minister is expected to give more details in a press conference on Monday.
The Trump administration has yet to respond to Diaz-Canel’s remarks.
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