David Jolly, a Democratic contender for the governorship of Florida, expressed in an exclusive interview with CiberCuba his desire to witness the end of Cuba's dictatorship and the emergence of a liberated island. He also raised concerns about the consistency of President Donald Trump's foreign policy towards Cuba.
"I want to see the Cuban regime fall. I yearn for a free Cuba and a liberated Cuban people," stated Jolly, who secured the Democratic primary with 61% of the vote and will face Republican Byron Donalds on November 3rd.
Nonetheless, Jolly nuanced his stance by emphasizing that pursuing the regime's downfall should not compromise the health and safety of the Cuban populace.
"I am aware that Marco Rubio prioritizes seeing the Cuban regime fall. However, we cannot simply chase a strategy to topple it if, in doing so, we endanger the health and lives of the Cuban people," he asserted.
Jolly also harshly criticized President Trump, accusing him of lacking a coherent foreign policy towards Cuba. He recalled that Trump had suggested American investors should engage in Cuba's hotel sector, a move Jolly described as "ignorant" for propping up the regime.
Addressing the plight of Cubans with I-220A forms and those caught in the backlog of the Cuban Adjustment Act, Jolly noted that the Trump administration drastically reduced approvals to "a few hundred" per quarter, compared to the thousands previously processed. He vowed to urge the federal government to reverse this trend.
In the realm of immigration, Jolly pledged to halt the 287(g) agreements that utilize state resources to detain individuals based on language or immigration status, advocating for due process for all state residents.
He vividly described the situation in Doral as a "hunting ground for people," echoing the words of a Venezuelan leader. "Children feared going to school for they might return to find their parents disappeared," Jolly recounted.
Jolly also touched on the "Alligator Alcatraz tragedy," referring to the detention center in the Everglades that operated from July 2025 to June 2026, which the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general condemned for inhumane conditions.
Responding to accusations from his opponent of representing "radical socialism," Jolly countered, "I reject socialism. I reject the Democratic Socialists of America. Importantly, I reject socialism across the political spectrum."
He went further, accusing "Donald Trump and the Republicans of supporting Delcy in Venezuela and inviting Putin to South Florida in December—backing a regime that supported Maduro, the Sandinistas, and Castro."
On economic matters, Jolly proposed a state disaster fund to replace the current homeowners' insurance system, aiming to cut premiums by 60% to 70%. He accused Donalds of "lying" about this proposal being an additional tax.
Recent polls in Florida reveal a tight race: among Cuban Americans, Donalds leads Jolly by nine points (51% to 42%), although Jolly holds a lead among Latino voters overall, 48% to 43%.
A survey released on Wednesday placed Jolly 4.3 points ahead of Donalds, yet within the ±4.8-point margin of error, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the election set for November 3rd.
Key Questions About David Jolly's Campaign and Policies
What is David Jolly's stance on Cuba?
David Jolly advocates for the end of Cuba's dictatorship and envisions a free Cuba, while emphasizing that strategies to topple the regime should not endanger Cuban citizens.
How does Jolly view Trump's foreign policy towards Cuba?
Jolly criticizes Trump's foreign policy as inconsistent and highlights Trump's proposal for U.S. investment in Cuban hotels as misguided support for the regime.
What are Jolly's plans for immigration policies?
Jolly aims to discontinue the 287(g) agreements and ensure due process for all residents, opposing the use of state resources to detain individuals based on language or immigration status.