05/21/2026
Today was a day filled with emotion for me as a Cuban-American, journalist, and community advocate.
Standing inside the Freedom Tower brought me back to my childhood in Cuba. I was only 10 years old when I came to the United States. My grandfather was a political prisoner, and like so many Cuban families, mine was forced to leave our island because of communism in search of freedom and a better future.
Being there today also brought back memories of covering one of the most painful stories of my journalism career 30 years ago — the Brothers to the Rescue planes being shot down and the heartbreak endured by the families of Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales. Seeing Raúl Castro indicted after decades was deeply emotional.
Surrounded by so many Cubans who carry the pain of exile in their hearts reminded me that the fight for freedom is far from over. The Cuban people deserve democracy, dignity, and the right to live without fear, repression, or dictatorship.
Praying for a free Cuba. 🇨🇺🙏