Former US President Donald Trump has already won the elections for many of the Cuban voters in Little Havana, according to what they told EFE, including a former Democrat, Ania Fresquet, who is “tired” of the direction the country has taken.
At first glance, Fresquet seems like one of the former president’s followers (2017-2021) when she comes to ask for a “cortadito” at the window of the Versailles restaurant, a political trench for Cubans in Miami for more than 50 years.
With his red cap with the acronym MAGA (Make America Great Again), he joins the conversation of Miguel Saavedra and Oswaldo Hernández, two other staunch followers of the Republican candidate, to talk about the elections that are taking place this Tuesday and confirm that, for them, “the only option is Trump.”
The woman manages to stop the group’s rushed conversation by saying that she is a registered Democrat. The two men who speak to Fresquet for the first time feel the confession as another triumph for the former president.
“In the end, everyone wants taxes not to be high, gasoline to be low, food prices to be different (low),” argues this Cuban who emigrated to the United States in 1973.
Change
He says that he registered as a Democrat since 1992 to support Bill Clinton and voted for that party until the 2016 election, when Hillary Clinton. He even campaigned for her. “But when I heard Trump close his campaign that year, I understood that I had made a mistake,” he says.
“I became a Trumpist,” she says, while rushing to take out the registration card that accredits her as a member of the Democratic Party, so that they don’t think she is lying.
She says she is disillusioned with the blue party and has never benefited from a program promoted by their governments that, according to her experience, exclude single taxpayers like her. “I’m tired of so much waste,” she adds.
Fresquet’s words are like a sweet melody to Saavedra and Hernández, members of the ‘Mambisa Vigil,’ a conservative Cuban exile group that regularly organizes protests in Little Havana.
And beyond their ideal to “liberate Cuba”, the two activists say they are “fed up” with the blow to their pockets that inflation has left.
For Saavedra, it is important that Trump continues with his plan for oil and gas exploration within the United States. “That is a real plan to lower gasoline and therefore the grocery bill,” he tells EFE.
Hernández complains about US military spending. “I don’t want them to continue sending millions and millions of money to Ukraine, to stop the blatant war there.”
All three also point the finger at the entry of irregular immigrants across the border. “This country can no longer receive more people,” emphasizes Hernández.
The winner
When asked who will get the most votes in this sector of Miami-Dade County, the three are quick to assure that Trump won for quite some time.
A survey by Florida International University (FIU) confirms the projection of Fresquet, Hernández and Saavedra. 68% of likely Cuban-American voters in this county said they will vote for the former president, 23% are leaning toward Harris and 5% were still undecided.
This is the highest approval rating recorded for Trump among Cuban Americans in the Cuba Survey, the oldest survey that has tracked trends in the U.S. of this community since 1991. In 2016, Trump recorded 35% approval and in 2020 it was 35%. 59%.
“It seems that the Trump train continues to pick up passengers on Calle Ocho,” the main artery of Little Havana, Guillermo Grenier, the survey’s principal investigator, said in a statement.
In this sense, FIU political scientist Eduardo Gamarra told EFE that Cubans, with 60%, are the group with the highest participation among Latino voters in the United States. Proof of this is that Hernández and Saavedra voted on October 21, the first day of advance voting, and Fresquet did so last week.
For the three voters, this Tuesday will be a normal day in Little Havana, since they say that the majority of those eligible to vote did “their duty,” but they warn that now what they have to worry about is possible “fraud.” following Trump’s theories.
Washington / EFE
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**Editor’s Interview with Ania Fresquet, Cuban American Voter and Former Democrat**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Ania. Your perspective is quite compelling, especially given the recent statistics showing that 68% of Cuban American voters are leaning towards Trump this election cycle. What has influenced your shift from being a registered Democrat to a supporter of Donald Trump?
**Ania Fresquet**: Thank you for having me. Well, honestly, it was a gradual realization. I registered as a Democrat in 1992 to support Bill Clinton and voted Democratic for years. But during the 2016 election, I became disillusioned watching Hillary Clinton’s campaign. When I heard Trump speak, I felt he was addressing the issues that mattered to me and many others in our community.
**Editor**: You mentioned feeling tired of the direction the country is taking. Can you elaborate on what specifically concerns you?
**Ania Fresquet**: Absolutely. I’ve been feeling the financial strain like many others. Inflation is hitting hard, and I believe economic policies need a serious overhaul. High taxes, expensive gas—these are everyday concerns. I want to see real plans that address these issues, like increasing oil and gas exploration domestically.
**Editor**: That’s a common sentiment among voters, especially as the cost of living continues to rise. Many from the Cuban community, as you mentioned, are experiencing economic difficulties. Do you think Trump’s policies resonate specifically with the Cuban American community?
**Ania Fresquet**: Definitely. Many in the community prioritize economic stability and are disillusioned with what they see as wasteful government spending. It’s refreshing for us to see someone like Trump who emphasizes lowering costs and putting the financial health of everyday citizens first.
**Editor**: You’ve also mentioned being disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Can you share what led to that sentiment?
**Ania Fresquet**: Over the years, I realized that the programs offered by the Democrats often didn’t benefit single taxpayers like me. I felt excluded and frustrated. I began to recognize that under the current administration, I hadn’t seen tangible benefits; instead, I saw more government waste.
**Editor**: It seems you’ve found a new home in Trump’s policies. What do you tell others in your community who are still undecided or feel hesitant to switch allegiance?
**Ania Fresquet**: I encourage them to look at the policies rather than the partisanship. What truly matters is how these policies impact our daily lives. We need to support leaders who prioritize economic growth and stability for all Americans, regardless of party affiliation.
**Editor**: Thank you, Ania, for sharing your insights today. It seems that your story is reflective of a broader trend within the Cuban American community, highlighting shifting political landscapes.
**Ania Fresquet**: Thank you for having me. It’s important for us to engage in these conversations and understand the changes happening in our community.
