Local Cuban weighs in on President Obama’s first visit
A local Cuban shared his thoughts on the President Barack Obama’s first trip to the communist island country that kicked off on Sunday.
Local Cuban musician Julio Garcia Delgado fled from Cuba to the U.S. when he was 12. His family almost perished at sea as they made the trip from Cuba to the U.S. during the middle of a hurricane.
Garcia Delgado has not visited Cuba since he left more than 30 years ago.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t go back until there are changes and I haven’t seen any changes,” said Garcia Delgado.
Garcia Delgado said he does not agree with Obama’s decision visit Cuba because he believes it sends the wrong message.
“For a U.S. president to got visit that government, and to act like nothing is happening, I think is wrong and it’s not going to be any good for the people of Cuba and the people of the United States,” said Garcia Delgado.
Garcia Delgado pointed to the Cuban government’s history of human rights violations and said Obama’s visit validates the government’s actions.
“It’s saying, ‘we agree with you.’ He says he wants to go there and make changes. The problem is, there hasn’t been any. There hasn’t been any in 20 years. There hasn’t been any in 60 years,” said Garcia Delgado. “There will be no changes unless the government of Cuba wants it and they don’t want it because it’s easier to keep people oppressed when they are poor.”
But the owner of the Cucuru Gallery Cafe, Guillermo Alvarado,has a different take on Obama’s visit. Alvarado is not Cuban, but his restaurant highlights Cuban culture through the artwork on his walls and the dishes on his menu. He said he was excited to see Obama land in Havana on Sunday. Alvarado believes there will be time in the future to address complaints against the Cuban government.
“I think we should be addressing the possibilities of a relationship and open our arms. We have time to discuss that down the road,’ said Alvarado.”They are an assets to the United States. I see them as an assets to the United States in the future,” said Alvarado.
Obama’s visit will last two days. The island country is 90 miles from Key West.
