Cuban exiles in Miami say 'this is the end' for communism as island teeters on collapse

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:17:51 -0400

There’s growing unrest in Cuba as the communist government struggles to deal with island-wide blackouts and a collapsing economy. As President Donald Trump alludes to change on the island, the Cuban community in Miami is left wondering what is next.

The island has experienced 67 years of authoritarian rule where the Communist Party of Cuba is the only legal party. Last week, protesters attacked a Communist Party headquarters on the island overnight, ransacking the building and attempting to set it on fire, according to local reports.

"The protesters are more brave today than before," said Jose Collazo, a Cuban migrant who left the island in the 1960's. "But if you remember four years ago when they came out, they were brutally repressed."

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Collazo often spends time at Domino Park in the heart of Little Havana, a neighborhood in Miami with a large population of Cuban immigrants. He and other Cuban Americans meet up for friendly — but highly competitive — games of dominoes and to discuss current affairs.

Lately, there's been a lot of chatter about the situation in Cuba. On Monday, a nationwide power grid collapse left roughly 10 million people without electricity, according to U.S. Embassy statements and Cuban authorities. Cuban officials have said the outages are linked to fuel shortages and failures at aging power plants.

Then, there's the ongoing economic crisis which has been made even worse in recent months after President Trump threatened tariffs on any country that sends oil to Cuba.

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"They're living like in the Stone Age. Cave people. That's how they live. It's sad to see the people [living with] malnutrition, living in ragged clothes," said Collazo.

The escalating tension on the island comes amid remarks by Trump that he expects to have the "honor" of "taking Cuba in some form" and "I can do anything I want" with the neighboring country.

"Cuba right now is in very bad shape. They're talking to Marco," Trump told reporters, "We’ll be doing something with Cuba very soon.… We’re dealing with Cuba."

On Tuesday, Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, also made comments about the island, saying "they have to get new people in charge" in Havana.

Meanwhile, Pentagon officials told lawmakers there are no plans to invade Cuba, even as they described it as a long-standing security concern.

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"In all the years I've been here— I'm going on 47 years— I think this is the first time I've seen really good things happening for Cuba," said Francisco Botella, a Cuban migrant who lives in Miami. "You can tell it's a very precarious situation this time around. Now the system is going down, way down."

Hearing U.S. leaders discuss the situation brings members of the Cuban exile community like Botella and Collazo hope.

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"I think this is the end for Cuba. I really think it's over. Either the communist leaders leave, or what happened to Maduro will happen to them," said Botella.

Cuban officials have continued to blame U.S. sanctions for the country’s economic hardships, while analysts say the government is facing mounting pressure from ongoing blackouts, shortages of basic goods and growing public frustration.

Miami Beach loosens spring break restrictions, aims to draw calmer crowds

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 03:45:36 -0400

For the first time in two years, the city of Miami Beach is loosening its spring break restrictions as it aims to usher in a calmer crowd.

The Miami International Airport expects more than 5 million passengers during its 33-day spring break travel season. The periods between March 12–15 and March 19–22 are expected to generate the largest spring break crowds for Miami Beach this year.

"We are divorced with spring break," said Christopher Bess, public information officer with the Miami Beach Police Department. "The last two years, there were no fatalities, no shootings, no chaos."

Miami Beach launched its official "break up with spring break" campaign back in 2024. The city implemented a strict curfew, as well as several road and parking garage closures. This year, the city is lifting some of those restrictions as it aims to attract more families with a series of wellness-focused events.

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"Someone who was basically in a coma for 10 years wakes up, and he sees a different Miami Beach, that it's about health and wellness and not just this party scene where anything goes, because Miami Beach is not about anything goes," said Steven Meiner, Miami Beach Mayor. "It's a law and order city. We're going to have a great spring break."

Municipal garages in the Art Deco District are open to the public this year but will have an increased flat parking rate, ranging between $40 to $100. To assist businesses impacted by parking garage rate increases, the city will offer free 24-hour shuttles.

"[Last year] we had barricades along some major stretches in Washington Avenue and Collins, so we're removing a lot of those barricades to allow better access to the businesses, because that's one of the things we heard from businesses that, maybe it was a little tough to get to access," said Meiner.

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Dozens of Miami Beach business owners told Fox News the crowds have been nowhere near as big as they used to be, leading to less foot traffic during spring break. But for some restaurants like Poseidon Greek, which experienced the chaos of spring break's past firsthand, it is a welcome change.

"You see less people on the street, like less foot traffic, but it's a lot more business. So we get more customers. People can park, people can walk around safe," said Vasilis Pyliotis, owner of Poseidon Greek on Miami Beach.

He added, "there's less foot traffic, but it's more actual customers that want to go spend money at the restaurant, at the shops, it's not just groups of people walking around and drinking."

Beginning March 5, high-impact measures will be in place every Thursday through Sunday for the entirety of March. That means visitors will notice an increased police presence, limited access to Ocean Drive and DUI enforcement.

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"We'll have our real-time intelligence center fully operational with over a thousand cameras throughout the city," shared Bess. "We'll also have our license plate readers operational as well, which in real time can convey any concerning information on wanted persons, stolen vehicles and illegal guns."

While city restrictions are more relaxed for 2026, law enforcement remains committed to cracking down on crime.

"Those who come to our city and break the law, they will be arrested," said Bess.

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The city of Miami Beach isn't the only Florida destination cracking down on spring breakers. Panama City Beach announced an 8 p.m. juvenile curfew. Fort Lauderdale is not allowing alcohol or amplified music on beaches unless the alcohol is sold by an approved hotel vendor.

"It's a transition time," said Pyliotis. "It will take a couple more years to clean up completely. We are in transition, but I think it's going to be better."

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Cuban exiles in Miami say 'this is the end' for communism as island teeters on collapse

Miami Beach loosens spring break restrictions, aims to draw calmer crowds