Miami Priests Pray for Cuba-US Talks to Help Cubans

But they want accountability from both sides, say retired bishop and other clergy.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:49am

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Retired Episcopal Bishop Leo Frade and other Miami-area priests are hopeful that ongoing talks between the United States and Cuba will lead to improved conditions for the Cuban people, but they also want to see accountability from both governments for past actions.

Why it matters

The relationship between the US and Cuba has been strained for decades, with the Cuban government facing criticism over human rights abuses and the US maintaining an economic embargo. Any progress in diplomatic talks could have significant implications for the Cuban people, as well as Cuban Americans in cities like Miami.

The details

Bishop Frade and other clergy in Miami are cautiously optimistic about the Cuba-US talks, but they want to see concrete steps taken to address the needs of the Cuban people. They are calling for accountability from both governments for past actions that have harmed Cuban citizens.

  • The Cuba-US talks are ongoing as of March 2026.

The players

Bishop Leo Frade

The retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida.

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What they’re saying

“We pray that these talks will help the Cuban people, but we also want to see accountability from both sides for past actions that have harmed the Cuban people.”

— Bishop Leo Frade, Retired Episcopal Bishop (The Brunswick News)

The takeaway

The ongoing Cuba-US talks are being closely watched by the Cuban American community in Miami, who hope for progress but also want to see accountability from both governments for past actions that have negatively impacted the Cuban people.