With tensions still high between Cuba and the U.S., gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday and openly called for a change of government in Cuba.
Meet the Press host Kristen Welker asked Donalds for his views on Cuba. Donalds said he believes a major change in Cuba’s government and leadership should happen soon. He also said Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel needs to step down.
“I believe there needs to be full-scale regime change in Cuba,” said Donalds. “[Díaz-Canel] is a dictator who wants to have the same deal as the Castro brothers. He wants to be able to rule Cuba with an iron fist and die in office.”
Cubans have faced energy blackouts and there have been many reports of unrest. In March, the Cuban government confirmed a blackout across the island, which was the biggest effect so far of an energy crisis that began when Venezuela stopped sending fuel after its President, Nicolás Maduro, was arrested. This happened mostly because of an oil blockade started by President Donald Trump.
Last week, Cuban officials said they would release 2,010 prisoners. The government said these include both foreigners and Cubans, such as women, older adults, and young people. They did not say when the releases would happen, under what conditions, or what crimes the prisoners were accused of.
Donalds said Americans are tired of how the Cuban government acts, and he believes it is only a matter of time before the regime falls.
“What the American people need to understand is that Cuba, for 67 years, has been a Communist dictatorship. They have suppressed the free speech of the Cuban people. The Cuban people today are rationing food. Their economy is flat on their back,” Donalds said.
–Drew Dixon, Florida Politics
Deborah Coffey says
There isn’t a country on Earth that needs a regime change more than The United States of America at this very moment!
Pierre Tristam says
Hungary could qualify, but its voters did the right thing.
Laurel says
Donald’s is another maga who is sucking up to the Cuban American vote.
No thanks.
Keenan Hreib says
Agreed! A “UNCLE TOM” pandering so desperately to the un-presidential version of “WHITEY BULGER”,while simultaneously helping his plantation owners shit all over a country that we ruin, because of our refusal to open trade with them. TRUMP is getting the regime change fever. The very obvious sickness that screams “FASCIST”!!!
Keep Flagler Beautiful says
Every politician sucks up to one group or another to win their vote. It’s an old story.
R.S. says
If there should be a regime change in Cuba, it’s not the result of the people’s dissatisfaction with their government that supplies healthcare, offered help for hurricane victim in the US, offers tuition-free education, etc. If there’s a regime change, it’ll be as a result of the US’s pressure tactics that starve and besiege Cuba to force the government to give in to their warlike neighbor. The US administration is dealing unfairly with other nations, most of all with its nearby neighbor Cuba, by depriving them of resources and blaming their government for the US’s will to power. The most peaceful people cannot live in peace if the wicked neighbor doesn’t permit it.
Dennis C Rathsam says
What’s so sad… I have relatives in Cuba, 3d cousins, My parents went there on their honeymoon. The old black & white photos show a great glorious country, with proud people with a zest for life….. UNTIL CASTRO
Deborah Coffey says
It is very sad, Dennis. But, Donald J. Trump couldn’t care less about that or the Cuban people. He is literally attempting to “own the world.” And, he is destroying a glorious country with proud people with a zest for life right here in America with that same lust for money and power.
Laurel says
Poor, brown people are rarely, if ever, saved. Real estate is the desirable feature there. Cuba has a pristine reef. Wait until the billionaires get a hold of it. Margaritaville, here we come!
Pogo says
Coming, 2028
… The Godfather IV, Return To Havana