MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 Members of Miami-Dade\u2019s Cuban exile community say their calls for political change in Cuba remain unchanged following comments from Cuban President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel about potential talks with the United States.<\/p>\n
Across generations, Cuban Americans told Local 10 News they want to see the communist party removed from power and democracy restored on the island.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only way there is going to be real change in Cuba and respect for the principal of private property is if there is political change in Cuba,\u201d said Orlando Guti\u00e9rrez-Boronat of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.<\/p>\n
Many exiles say D\u00edaz-Canel confirming that Cuba is in talks with the U.S. does not change their long-standing push for a free Cuba.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want my country to be free,\u201d said Ana Dezayas, a Cuban-American exile who left the island decades ago. \u201cI was born in Cuba. I left in 1969.\u201d<\/p>\n
Younger Cuban Americans echoed similar frustrations. Waldo Toyos, a 24-year-old fourth-generation Cuban American, questioned any assistance to the Cuban government.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I support America helping the Cuban government in any capacity? No. Why would I?\u201d Toyos said. \u201cMy grandfather asked me to never go back there.\u201d <\/p>\n
Some also pushed back against D\u00edaz-Canel\u2019s remarks about being open to doing business with Cubans living abroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just feel it is ridiculous to have the concept of, \u2018It\u2019s all good now.\u2019 No, that is not what our grandfathers fought for,\u201d Toyos added. <\/p>\n
Guti\u00e9rrez-Boronat said many exiles believe there can be no collaboration with the Cuban government while the current political system remains in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not going to collaborate with the regime. We are not going to go back to Cuba with our resources, with our help, with our aid as long as there is a dictatorship there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that real political change is needed before many exiles would consider returning.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be real change so that there are no longer any reasons for Cubans to be exiled,\u201d Guti\u00e9rrez-Boronat said.<\/p>\n
Others say even if democracy were restored, their lives are now rooted in the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy kids and my grandkids were born here. I go back maybe to visit, but not to continue my life there,\u201d Dezayas said.<\/p>\n
Toyos said the history between his family and the Cuban government still weighs heavily on him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the Cuban government and the current government has done to my family, I would never \u2014 I would never return back to Cuba,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Despite their differing views on returning, those interviewed said they continue to advocate for freedom and democracy for the Cuban people living on the island.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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