Generations Split Over U.S. Policy Change On Cuba
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) --MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Amid the news of the U.S. reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, some groups voiced their resistance to it while others, part of younger generation, voiced their support.
The decision was all the talk at the dinner tables across a large portion of Miami-Dade County, though most Cuban-Americans are in agreement with the president's decision, a lot of it has to do with the younger generation.
"Through these exchanges a younger generation of Cuban-Americans has increasingly questioned an approach that does more to keep Cuba closed off from an interconnected world," said President Barack Obama.
Click here to watch Cynthia Demos' report.
The president called the embargo with Cuba outdated and out of touch.
Florida International University (FIU) Professor Dr. Hugh Gladwin's said that's right in line with the university's Cuba poll that's been in place for 23 years.
When Cuban-Americans were asked if they supported the embargo in 1991, 87 percent said "yes." In 2014, 48 percent said "yes."
Younger Cuban-Americans seem to support Obama's decision while older Cuban-Americans are not supporting his move, causing a generational divide on the matter.
Then there are Cuban-Americans in the middle including our own Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
"The goal is for Cubans to be free," said Gimenez.
Gladwin said more Cuban-American businesses here realize how advantageous a good relationship with Cuba could be economically.
The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimated that exports of U.S. goods to Cuba could reach $4.3 billion a year, compared to less than $360 million last year
In the FIU poll, when asked if the US establish should diplomatic relations with Cuba, in 2004, 43 percent said "yes."
But in 2013, 68 percent said "yes."
Gladwin said Obama's announcement Wednesday was really in line with the polls.
"I think it is just about time," said Gladwin.
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