What do Cubans think Trump’s second term will mean for Cuba?

Ten years after Obama’s historic opening with Cuba, we ask Cubans what they think about Obama, Trump and Biden. 

This story is part of the series “Obama’s opening with Cuba: Ten years later.”

TRANSCRIPT

How did Obama’s opening affect Cuba? 

“Obama allowed for travel and exchanges,” says a Cuban doctor. 

“He began the process of re-engagement, he opened up the U.S. embassy here. He allowed for remittances,” a man on the street wearing a mask says. 

“Obama put Cuba in the spotlight. Cuba became a desired destination world-wide. Many famous people wanted to come here,” says a man in front of a Havana pizzeria. 

“We had never had a Chanel fashion show here,” says a college student.

“There was a big influx of cruise ships,” says the man in the mask. 

“There was a lot of tourism during the Obama years. Especially Russians and people from the U.S. That improved things in the country, says another college student. 

“Americans could come and spend their money here. They could interact with us Cubans,” says another man. 

“It was a good time, so to speak,” says a medical student. 

“He wanted to do many things, but he thought of it too late. He should’ve done it sooner. Maybe we would have more changes in the country now,” says another man. 

How was Trump’s first term for Cuba? 

“Trump really hurt Cuba”, an older lady with a mask says. 

“Trump shot down diplomatic relations, which had opened up after so many years,” says the man at the pizzeria. 

“U.S. sanctions against Cuba increased. It damaged the influx of currency, food and other things,” says one of the college students. 

“In his last days in office, he put Cuba on the list of terrorist countries,” says one of the men. 

“He distanced families. He made it harder for people to travel back and forth,” says the pizzeria man.

And Biden? 

“With Biden things were the same as with Trump. I don’t think he did much,” says the medical student.   

“Biden was just more of the same. He didn’t lift any of Trump’s sanctions. Evidently,” a young man says. 

What will Trump’s second term mean for Cuba? 

“It means the continuity of sanctions against Cuba,” says an older man. 

“Nothing good will come from Trump. A crazy person running the most powerful country in the world. It’s just wrong. The whole world is wrong,” says the doctor. 

“Especially because Marco Rubio is the Secretary of State,” says the young man. 

“What could it mean for Cuba?” the young man asks himself. “Restrictions on travel, remittances and all of our economic activities.”

“My understanding is that it’s going to be particularly bad for migrants,” says a girl on her way to school. 

“I can understand the perspective of some Americans about deportations. But from a humane point of view, I don’t think Trump is going to care about Cubans and Latinos,” says a middle-aged woman. 

The goal of these sanctions is to drown us, to create general discontent that causes an internal war and destabilizes our social system,” says the older man. 

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but tough years are coming,” the doctor says.