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Local Cuban-Americans Talk About President’s Visit To Cuba
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
It’s a blessing to be able to experience the election of the first African American President of the United States. And if that wasn’t his- toric enough, President Barack Obama, with his wife, Michelle, and daugh- ters, Malia and Sasha, are in Cuba visiting.
The diplomatic gesture is an effort to restore relations with the Caribbean Island nation, and end an embargo that has been in place for more than half-a-century.
President Obama be- came the first sitting Presi- dent to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge 88 years ago.
Local Cuban-Americans were asked what they thought of the President’s visit. This is what they had to say.
Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez: “I think this event is very im- portant to the United States and Cuba. I’m proud and happy President Obama made a decision to reach out to Cuba and its people.
“As a part of my heritage, I’ve looked forward to the day when people would be able to travel to Cuba. It’s ex- citing to imagine going their directly from Florida.”
Dr. Rodriguez said she thinks it’s important to start working on a productive pol- icy with Cuba.
“If my dad (Attorney Francisco Rodriguez) was alive to see this, he would be elated. I’m emo- tional and overjoyed over this historic and important day in history. I’m proud a Black United States Presi- dent did this.”
Ms. Facunda Arenas: “I love it! I love the way the people have welcomed him and allowed him to be a part of my home land. It’s great to hear them talking and it’s an added plus that our baseball team (Tampa Bay Rays) is there to play a game. Once again, our President has made history.”Mr. Jose Grinan: “I think it’s a good thing. Previous presidents should have at least made the gesture. There’s a big ethnic block in Miami and New Jersey, and they aren’t so happy with the current regime. They don’t want the United States in Cuba.
“I have family there and there has to be some unifica- tion. As a child, my father, who left the island in 1959, would take one of us to Cuba every other year. Before 1959, people were traveling back-and-forth to Cuba.
President Barack Obama and Cuban President, Raul Cas- tro.
President Obama arrives in Cuba with First Lady Michelle, and their daughter, Sasha and Malia.
DR. CHERYL RODRIGUEZ
MS. FACUNDA ARENAS
MR. JOSE GRINAN
MRS. MARIA HODGES
MS. SHARON GOMEZ
President Obama for un- locking a door that had been locked for almost 90 years.”
“My father wanted claim property his family owned there, but that wasn’t possible. He also tried main- taining ties of friendship he made growing up there. Cuba has been a secret for so long, and now Americans want to go to see it for them- selves.”
Grinan said people are starting to feel more relaxed about the future of Cuba, and if his dad was still alive, he would want to go back.
Mrs. Maria Hodges: “I think what President Obama did was good. We need to do something about Cuba. I’d like to see Cuba go back to what it was when I was a child living there. I’d like to see people be able to travel freely back and forth to Cuba. I’m looking forward to the day when I can take my family there.
“No other President could have done this but President Obama. No other president was even in- terested in almost 90 years. He did the right thing and I wish we could keep him in office longer.”
Ms. Sharon Gomez: “I was very much in favor of the President visiting Cuba. Anything we can do to help the people of Cuba is great, and this was long overdue.
“We were there recently for a week, and I was able to see family members for the first time in my life. That was a great reunion and I’m going back in December.”
Ms. Gomez said she no- ticed that the people have
to
limited internet access and overall use of their cellular
there’s still a lot that needs to change.
“All of the praise goes to
phones, and that
means
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 7-A