During a visit to Miami, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the Community of Madrid, was approached by a Cuban woman who delivered a powerful statement encapsulating years of migratory hardship: "Communism is why I'm here." The encounter, which was captured on video and shared by several Spanish outlets, shows the Madrid leader engaging with this Cuban employee of Florida International University (FIU). The woman jokingly asked, "Have you eaten, have you eaten?" referencing a viral phrase by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during a press conference amidst the Koldo Case scandal.
The Cuban woman, who recounted her arrival in the United States at the age of 51, emphasized her experience of starting over from scratch. Her story vividly highlights the Cuban exile's struggles, characterized by scarcity, dislocation, and the challenge of rebuilding from nothing. "I follow Spanish politics closely. When are we going to be rid of Pedro Sánchez... we need change," she remarked, giving a nod to the Madrid president.
Isabel Díaz Ayuso's trip to Miami primarily focuses on academic collaboration and strengthening ties between Madrid's universities and U.S. institutions. On social media, Ayuso detailed meetings at FIU and Miami Dade College, where she introduced the "Américo Castro" program aimed at enhancing the exchange of faculty and students with Madrid's educational institutions.
"We aim to promote student and faculty exchanges and boost research alongside industry, business, and vocational training," Ayuso wrote on her official X account (formerly Twitter).
Understanding the Impact of Cuban Exile
What did the Cuban woman say to Isabel Díaz Ayuso?
The Cuban woman told Isabel Díaz Ayuso, "Communism is why I'm here," summarizing her reasons for migrating to the United States.
What was the purpose of Isabel Díaz Ayuso's visit to Miami?
Isabel Díaz Ayuso's visit focused on academic cooperation and strengthening relationships between Madrid's universities and U.S. institutions.
What is the "Américo Castro" program?
The "Américo Castro" program is designed to facilitate the exchange of professors and students between institutions in the Community of Madrid and the United States.