Poll Shows Majority Cuban-Americans Back Obama's New Policy Toward Cuba
A recently published national poll shows that more Cuban-Americans support the White House's new policy toward normalizing relations with Cuba.
The survey, which was conducted by Bendixen & Amandi International in mid-March, reveals the majority of Cuban-Americans back President Obama's effort to establish diplomatic ties with the Communist country following decades of a frozen relationship.
According to the poll, 51 percent stand behind the president's policy, which is a seven-point jump from December when only 44 percent said they stood in agreement with Obama shortly after he made the historic announcement.
However, the number of supporters of the policy is much larger among Cuban-Americans who were born in the United States, as 66 percent agree. In comparison, only 45 percent of those born in Cuba agree with Obama's decision.
The poll also shows that younger Cuban-Americans born in the U.S. and those who do not live in Florida are more likely to support the idea of re-establishing relations, notes Politico.
Most respondents aged 18 to 49 said normalizing relations is a good idea, while 69 percent of adults 18 to 29 agreed and 60 percent of those between 30 and 49 agreed, whereas only 38 percent approve among those 65 and older compared to 54 percent that disapprove.
Cuban Americans living outside Florida have embraced the new policy much more than those residing in the Sunshine State, as only 41 percent of those in the state approved, compared to 69 percent among those outside of Florida.
"The opposition to the new policy is concentrated in older, Cuban-born exiles who came in the early days of the exile experience," said Fernand Amandi, a principal of the polling firm, according to The Miami Herald.
In spite of the different approval and disapproval rates within the community, "what continues to unite Cuban-Americas is their antipathy for the current Cuban regime and the Castro brothers," said Amandi.
"It's no longer surprising that a majority of Cuban Americans support a new course on Cuba policy; it's exactly what the trend lines have been pointing toward for years," said Ric Herrero, executive director of #CubaNow.
"Cuban Americans, like all Americans, recognize that we can do more to empower the Cuban people and advance the cause of human rights through engagement rather than isolation," he added.
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