Reply #11: Winds of change may sweep few exiles back to Cuba [View All]

Winds of change may sweep few exiles back to Cuba
Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:48am ET


MIAMI (Reuters) - A lot more than the treacherous Florida Straits separates Miami's Cuban exiles from their homeland just 90 miles off the southern tip of Florida.
But the handover of power by ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro has many thinking about change on the communist-ruled island and the day, perhaps soon, when barriers between Cubans and staunchly anti-Castro Cuban Americans may finally come tumbling down.
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But a 2004 poll by Florida International University showed that most exiles -- who may not be welcome back on the island -- would probably never return to Cuba to live. Even if it changed to a democracy, nearly 67 percent said they were unlikely to consider a permanent return.

That total was even higher than the 60 percent who said they favored military action, by the U.S. government or Cuban exiles, to overthrow Castro.
(snip)

Elena Freyre, a voice of moderation among Miami's often strident exiles, said Cuban Americans will play only a limited role in a post-Castro Cuba, and should not expect to be well received on the island due to their support for the U.S. economic embargo against it.

"Most of the people who speak the most about how much they miss the homeland haven't been there in over 40 years and have no clue what Cuba looks like today," she said.
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