WEST PALM BEACH, Fla--- The historic visit to Cuba by President Obama is generating mixed emotions from those right here in South Florida.
He is the first U.S. President to step in Cuba in nearly 90 years.
For many Cubans, like Ramon Valirino, it’s a step toward progress.
"The beginning of change, you know," he said.
Vilarino is owner of Don Ramon's Cuban restaurants here in West Palm Beach.
He was born and raised in Cuba. He left when he was 38.
His wife, Teresa, translated saying, "he agrees with the president going to Cuba."
Vilarino tells me he while his family suffered, his brothers even jailed at the hands of the Castro regime, he sees the president’s visit as a move toward change.
"He says the only reason the Cuba government has been in power for so long is because they were able to control it from within and for being closed off for so long," translated Theresa for Roman.
Stephanie Oduardo, the daughter of a Cuban immigrant agrees.
"I do think Cuba will see more pressure from the United States to change its ways toward a more democratic society," said Oduardo.
However, not everyone sees the president's historic visit as a positive.
In Miami Sunday, hundreds gathered in protest, saying they're outraged that a U.S. President is visiting a communist country that still represses dissidents. Many protesters saying Obama went despite a lack of efforts for reform by the Cuban government.
Vilarino says he respects and understands those opinions but says, “it can’t get any worse than it already is."
Vilarino says there was one thing that did upset him about President Obama's visit. He thinks it was disrespectful that Castro did not welcome the president when he landed in Cuba.
