A Cuban exile in Miami took a stand on Sunday against a group of supporters of the Havana regime who were protesting the U.S. embargo and supposed "hatred among Cubans." Armed with her cellphone, she confronted the Cuban migrants and sympathizers of other nationalities gathered at a Miami gas station to demand the lifting of the embargo.
As she approached the group, she questioned, "Is this a protest against Miguel Díaz-Canel? Against Raúl Castro? Against the tyranny in Cuba?" Despite her respectful tone, the pro-regime protesters responded with visible agitation, shouting and gesturing defiantly.
"Nobody here is talking about dictatorship. We're against the hatred Cubans have for their own people," replied someone who seemed to be an organizer of the demonstration. Clearly annoyed by the woman's presence, he added, "We're against those who speak ill of Cuba instead of focusing on the hardships of the Cuban people. We support Cuba and oppose the blockade against the homeland."
Another demonstrator shouted, "We don't care about Díaz-Canel. We care about Cuban families, unlike those Cubans who hate their own country. I know what tyranny you're talking about—it's the kind of showboating that doesn't care about the people of Cuba."
The exile, whose identity remains unknown, was also recorded in an intimidating manner by several attendees at the gas station. One protester yelled in her face, "We're against hatred." Despite their repeated claims of opposing "hatred," their behavior mirrored that of Cuba's enforcers, with threatening gestures and expressions.
The protesters' cars displayed messages like "No to the Ota Loca rats," "No more hatred among Cubans," "Otaola the filthy rat, the Fifí," "No to Hatred," and "Lift the embargo," among others.
Overwhelmed by anger, one protester approached the Cuban woman, removed his glasses, and revealed his face to the camera, identifying himself as Toscano. "I don’t care if you’re Toscano," the exile retorted. "Even if you were Díaz-Canel, I'd say it to your face: The only thing I hate is the tyranny that keeps people in misery. I'm against the Cuban tyranny, against Raúl Castro, and against the regime that leaves people hungry and impoverished."
Growing Presence of Cuban Regime Supporters Among Miami Migrants
Exiled Cubans in Miami have started to raise alarms about the increasing presence of Havana's regime supporters among the new arrivals from the island. Cuba is experiencing its most severe migration crisis in history, with over 1.5 million Cubans having fled to the United States and other countries since 2020, according to conservative diaspora estimates, representing nearly 20% of the population.
Among those admitted into the U.S., either through the border or the humanitarian parole program, exiles have identified many who were once regime officials, enforcers, or Communist Party figures. Alongside these openly pro-regime individuals, the Miami exile community is noticing a growing visibility of migrants who maintain an "apolitical" stance, yet support the Cuban government's call to "end the blockade."
In late July, Miami International Airport became the setting for opposing demonstrations, each side advocating its viewpoint on Cuba's situation. Cuban regime supporters, led by the group Puentes de Amor, and Cuban exiles opposing the regime, organized as Exilio Unido Ya (EUY), intersected, leading to a direct confrontation between the factions.
From early morning, Puentes de Amor members, led by activist Carlos Lazo, gathered at the airport’s Plaza of Flags. According to Cuban state media outlet Prensa Latina, they waved Cuban flags and displayed a banner demanding "Lift the blockade," visible to all entering the bustling airport train station.
On Facebook, Lazo mentioned that event organizers had informed Miami airport authorities, police, and the FBI about potential threats and provocations from opposition groups. Simultaneously, a group of Cuban exiles protested at the same location, condemning the Cuban regime's repression and calling for the release of political prisoners.
Marcel Valdés, a leader of Exilio Unido Ya (EUY), noted that after much effort, they finally secured permission to demonstrate at the airport. Valdés emphasized that their action aimed to dismantle what they perceived as "the circus of accomplices to a murderous dictatorship."