STORY: Cuban Americans in Miami reacted on Friday (May 15) to renewed tensions between the administration of Donald Trump and Cuba, with many in the city’s Little Havana neighborhood expressing frustration over the communist-run island’s economic and political crisis.

Outside the iconic Versailles Restaurant, Cuban exiles gathered over coffee and cigars, discussing politics and the future of Cuba as U.S.-Cuba relations remain strained. Reuters has reported that Trump has taken a hardline stance toward Havana since returning to office, increasing pressure on the Cuban government while accusing it of human rights abuses and repression amid worsening economic conditions on the island.

Miami resident and Cuban native Miguel Saavedra said the Cuban government was facing mounting pressure due to shortages of electricity, water and medicine, as well as growing unrest among Cubans on the island.

“Over the past few months, the people of Cuba have been raising hell across the entire island,” Saavedra said, adding that Trump’s posture toward Havana reflected the anger of many Cuban exiles who oppose the communist government.

Others in Little Havana said they hoped for improved conditions for ordinary Cubans, regardless of politics.

“I would just like something good to happen to the Cuban people,” said Miami resident Richard Millard while speaking outside La Carreta, another prominent Cuban restaurant in the community.

At nearby Domino Park, Cuban flags waved alongside Florida flags as older Cuban-Americans played dominoes and discussed the island’s future. Miami resident and Cuban native Rigoberto Cordero said Cuba’s leadership should step down after decades in power, blaming the government for the country’s deepening crisis.

The Trump administration’s tougher approach toward Cuba marks a sharp contrast from earlier efforts to restore ties between Washington and Havana. The relationship between the two countries has remained tense amid U.S. sanctions, migration concerns and accusations of political repression by Cuban authorities.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: CUBAN NEIGHBORHOOD IN MIAMI/ VERSAILLES COFFEE WINDOW/ REACTIONS FROM MIAMI CUBAN COMMUNITY/ INTERVIEWS WITH CUBAN DIASPORA/ MIAMI-CUBAN NEIGHBORHOOD OF LITTLE HAVANA

SHOWS: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (MAY 15, 2026) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF CUBAN MEN IN FRONT OF VERSAILLES CAFE IN LITTLE HAVANA

2. CHANGE ON TOP OF THE COUNTER AT VERSAILLES CAFE IN LITTLE HAVANA

3. A MAN TALKING ABOUT CUBAN POLITICS WITH FRIENDS AT VERSAILLES CAFE IN LITTLE HAVANA

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIAMI RESIDENT AND CUBAN NATIVE, MIGUEL SAAVEDRA, SAYING:

"Ultimately, the agreements would concern the Cuban regime, which has completely collapsed. No electricity, no water, no medications. The hospital system has collapsed; everything has come to an end. The purpose is to confirm, once and for all, their departure from the island or the imprisonment of the regime leaders. Now, what is the significance of this? Over the past few months, the people of Cuba have been raising hell across the entire island. There was a nationwide rebellion every single night, and this gave President Trump a certain leverage making it clear to him that the Cuban people are in a state of war against the regime in Havana."

5. SAAVEDRA WRITING ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE 'FREE CUBA'

6. VARIOUS OF SAAVEDRA IN FRONT OF VERSAILLES COFFEE SHOP IN LITTLE HAVANA

7. PINS OF THE AMERICAN AND CUBAN FLAG ON DISPLAY IN VERSAILLES

8. A ROOSTER WITH THE CUBAN FLAG IN LITTLE HAVANA

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MIAMI RESIDENT, RICHARD MILLARD, SAYING:

"I have no idea, I'm not a politician, I have no idea. I know the Cuban people are not just struggling now, but have struggled for a long, long, long time. It would be great if they became our ally instead of our, you know, this kind of lost island out there. So I don't know if it's a good thing or not. I have no ideas. I just would like something good to happen to the Cuban people."

10. A CUBAN RESTURANT WITH A MURAL OF AMERICAN AND CUBAN FLAGS

11. A CUBAN COFFEE WITH A TABACCO ON A TABLE

12. VARIOUS OF MEN DRINKING COFFEE AND SMOKING TABACCO

13. A MAN WALKING TO DOMINO PARK IN LITTLE HAVANA

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIAMI RESIDENT AND CUBAN NATIVE, RIGOBERTO CORDERO, SAYING:

"Well, I believe they went there with a single objective in mind. That objective is this: Do you want to leave the easy way, or do you want to leave the hard way? You know that you have been violating every human right for 67 years. And Cuba is currently going through a grave crisis, one where the only problem is that they refuse to leave the country. This applies to the entire hierarchy, starting from the very bottom and going all the way to the top, specifically Raúl Castro, who has effectively become the country's gendarme. The reason they must leave is so that the Cuban people may be free so that we may attain the liberty we so richly deserve, both those of us here and those still in Cuba."

15. VARIOUS OF MEN PLAYING DOMINOS

16. A MAN SITTING AT DOMINO PARK

17. A CUBAN AND FLORIDA FLAG WAVING