South Florida Cubans Demand Hardline U.S. Stance on Cuba

New poll reveals strong opposition to engagement with communist regime among Cuban Americans

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:41pm

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A cinematic painting of a solitary Cuban flag hanging from a dilapidated building, the warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a melancholic, nostalgic mood that reflects the political and economic turmoil in Cuba.The Cuban American community in South Florida expresses deep frustration with the communist regime, pressuring U.S. officials to take a harder line.Today in Miami

A new poll by the Miami Herald has revealed that many Cubans and Cuban Americans in South Florida hold hardline views on U.S. policy toward Cuba, with a majority favoring a tougher stance against the communist regime. This comes as top U.S. officials faced tough questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill over the Biden administration's approach to Cuba.

Why it matters

The poll results highlight the political influence of the Cuban American community in South Florida, a crucial voting bloc in the state. The findings suggest the Biden administration may face pressure to take a more confrontational approach toward Cuba, even as some lawmakers argue that engagement and diplomatic solutions should be pursued.

The details

The poll found that 57% of Cuban Americans in South Florida believe the U.S. should not negotiate with the Cuban government, while 52% support military intervention if diplomatic efforts fail. These views contrast with the Biden administration's stated goal of seeking to improve relations with Cuba through limited engagement. During a congressional hearing, Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar called the Cuban regime 'on life support,' while Democratic Rep. Joaquín Castro urged democratic reforms and economic changes on the island.

  • The poll was released on April 16, 2026.
  • The congressional hearing on Cuba policy took place in April 2026.

The players

Maria Elvira Salazar

A Republican member of Congress representing a district in South Florida.

Joaquín Castro

A Democratic member of Congress representing a district in Texas.

Michael Kozak

A senior State Department official and former diplomat in Cuba.

Sebastian Arcos

The interim director of Cuban Studies at Florida International University.

Willy Chirino

A Cuban American artist.

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What they’re saying

“The communist regime in Cuba is on life support.”

— Maria Elvira Salazar, Republican Congresswoman

“I hope the Cuban government holds free and fair elections and they must engage in economic reforms.”

— Joaquín Castro, Democratic Congressman

“If you want to get anywhere with talks of this kind, you don't do it in public.”

— Michael Kozak, Senior State Department Official

“The poll just published by the Herald proves something that we have been saying for over a month now — that there is a Miami consensus on how a transition should take place in Cuba.”

— Sebastian Arcos, Interim Director of Cuban Studies, Florida International University

“I'd rather have an intervention unless there is another way that we could do it diplomatically.”

— Willy Chirino, Cuban American Artist

What’s next

The Biden administration is likely to face continued pressure from the Cuban American community in South Florida to take a harder line against the Cuban regime, even as some lawmakers argue for a more diplomatic approach. The results of the poll could influence the administration's Cuba policy in the coming months.

The takeaway

The poll results highlight the enduring political influence of the Cuban American community in South Florida, a key voting bloc in the state. While the Biden administration has sought to pursue limited engagement with Cuba, the hardline views expressed in the poll suggest the president may face challenges in maintaining that approach, especially as the 2024 election cycle approaches.