Irina Vilariño

That's what happens when the Bush crime syndicate sponsors your relocation

That article was written less than 2 weeks after Mariel began. It’s ridiculous to claim that perception changed so radically in 2 weeks. That article is another example of the xenophobia (which existed before and after Mariel) immigrants have always faced including Cubans.

I don’t know how somenone can praise Trump knowing he’s feeding that xenophobia after their family went through the same thing, but I certainly won’t. Many Cubans like myself don’t feel the same way as Irina.

I'd venture most do... especially when motivated by a certain generation of Cubans who view themselves as superior to other LatAm immigrants, like Irina and her "best in us history"

I don’t think it’s most Raul. My mother, a lifelong republican, vehemently hated Trump for a lot of the same reasons a lot of do. I going to post a few links I posted on how much the Cuban vote has changed - Imo in 2020 you are really going to see a huge shift

The younger (45 and below) certainly were/are trending out of the Republican base... but as far as the older, entrenched Cuban 'élite del exilio'... well, they're pretty much in line. Not that I needed to, but I witnessed it when I covered Trump's visit in 2017 in little havana

The example of my mother I was giving you is part of that dynamic. I know it’s anecdotal but I do think despite differences in generations, people recognize hate for what it is and don’t like it. But I’m no longer on South Fla, so I may not have as good as a gage as you

I'm sure there are older Cubans like your mother... but most benefit (or think they benefit) from his policies.