The Cuban lawyer, Manuel Viera, known for his outspoken criticism of the government and large following on social media, expressed his alarm over Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. elections. Recently, Viera began selling his possessions in preparation to leave Cuba with his family. He is now deeply concerned about the potential cancellation of the humanitarian parole program with the Republican's ascent to the White House.
"Rafael will seem small compared to the Donald hurricane that just hit. Goodbye to my parole! This is worse than a meteorite! The Latin American left is uneasy, and Cuban communism is downcast," he remarked on Facebook. He also added humorously, "I hope eating the soles of my shoes will be worth it!" while congratulating Americans for their right to elect their president.
The Impact of Trump's Win on Cuban Lives
Known online as 'Manuel Viera Porelcambio', the attorney highlighted in another post the potential repercussions of the Republican victory on Cuban citizens, due to the Castro regime's inefficiency. "What will those odd companies like Supermarket 23, Cuballama, etc., sell starting in January? This will mean no travel, no embassy, no parole, no CBP, no remittances, no packages, no Western Union," he detailed.
Viera argued that if Cuban communists could not improve the situation during Biden's administration, with all the advantages they had, it is clear that they lack the capacity to endure four years of a Trump-led Republican government, especially during Cuba's worst economic crisis since 1959.
Future of U.S.-Cuba Relations
He asserted that as long as Trump pursues his plan to overthrow communism, the Cuban regime will cling to the "blockade" narrative and continue seeking donations, leaving the Cuban people in hunger. "The only ones who can change this story are the Cuban people themselves. It's always been that way! It will be incredibly tough for us, the Cuban people, but I hope we can steer Cuba in the direction it has long needed," he concluded.
In September, Trump announced that if he won the elections, he would terminate the humanitarian parole program implemented by the Biden administration in January 2023. According to Fox journalist Bill Melugin, Trump stated that upon election, he would immediately halt the CBP One mobile app and the CHNV flight program for migrants, which includes Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. "He would also revoke the humanitarian parole for the 1.3 million migrants already allowed into the United States through Biden's programs," the reporter specified.