Cuban-American entrepreneur Iván Herrera, the founder and CEO of Univista Insurance, embarked on a journey from Miami to Washington this Tuesday. Accompanied by notable figures from the Cuban exile community—Remedios Díaz-Oliver and Lilliam S. Machado—Herrera aimed to convey the exiled community's message advocating for Cuban freedom to members of Congress and the Trump administration.
"Cuba will resonate more than ever in Washington, with all its representatives, with President Trump, and we want to amplify the voice, not ours, but of those Cubans enduring hardships in Cuba, of those mothers with imprisoned children, of those individuals who die daily on the island," Herrera expressed in an Instagram video before his departure.
Born in Alquízar (Artemisa) in 1973, Herrera arrived in Florida at 23 as a rafter. He established Univista Insurance in 2009, growing it into one of the nation's largest insurance firms, with over 220 offices and 3,000 employees. His story epitomizes the successful exile narrative, which links any investment or normalization to genuine political change on the island.
A Legacy of Resilience
Traveling alongside Herrera was Remedios Díaz-Oliver, cofounder of All American Containers and a prominent Cuban-American businesswoman. Exiled in 1961 after being imprisoned for protesting against the regime, she became the first woman to receive the "E" Award for Export Excellence in 1968, presented by President Lyndon Johnson.
"Lilliam and Remedios embody the steadfast spirit of a generation that neither surrendered nor remained silent, bravely defending Cuba's right to freedom," Herrera wrote on Instagram.
Free Cuba Rally and Calls for Action
The trip to Washington coincided with the Free Cuba Rally held at Milander Park in Hialeah, where thousands of Cuban-Americans chanted "Cuba Next!" urging President Trump to take action against the Cuban regime following his stance on Venezuela.
The mayor of Hialeah, Bryan Calvo, was among the key speakers. "The Cuban people have waited long enough," he declared.
During the same event, thousands of exiles shouted "Cuba Next," delivering a direct message to the Trump administration to shift focus towards the island after pressuring Venezuela.
Firm Stance Against Investment
Herrera had previously made his stance clear on March 18, vehemently opposing the regime's proposal to allow investments from Cubans abroad, calling it "absurd and immoral."
"There will not be a single penny of American investment in Cuba until Cubans are free," he stated, adding, "No self-respecting individual will invest with the Castro dictatorship."
"Cuba is not forgotten, Cuba is not abandoned, and Cuba will be free," Herrera proclaimed when announcing his trip, encapsulating the essence of a day when the Cuban exile community sought to make their voices heard in the corridors of power in Washington.
Key Questions on Cuban Freedom Advocacy
Who is Iván Herrera?
Iván Herrera is a Cuban-American entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Univista Insurance. His journey from Cuba to the United States exemplifies the successful exile narrative.
What was the purpose of Herrera's trip to Washington?
Herrera traveled to Washington to advocate for Cuban freedom and represent the voices of the Cuban exile community to Congress and the Trump administration.
What is the Free Cuba Rally?
The Free Cuba Rally is an event held in Hialeah where thousands of Cuban-Americans gathered to demand action against the Cuban regime, emphasizing their call with chants of "Cuba Next."