A perspective on the protests in Cuba

We talked with Al Molina, the Chairman, and CEO of Molina Fine Jewelers. He is a native of Cuba and Honorary Consul of Spain of Arizona about his perspective on protests in Cuba.

He tells us about his life. He said he was born in Cuba 3 months after the revolution in 1959. His dad was incarcerated from 1959 to 1965. He came to the United States in 1967.

They arrived in Chicago in January, he said. He was 8 years old. He said they became Americans and were very proud to be in this country.

We talked about what is happening now and what is happening with the protests. He said COVID has created some issues.

He talks about some of the information that he has heard about syringes headed to Cuba that were blocked by the United States. He said there is a lot of hunger and frustration.

He said that basically all Cubans do not like what is happening in Cuba today. He wants the U.S. to lift the sanctions that have been in place for decades.

We talked about the Cuban people’s restriction on freedom. He talked about his mother and his experience living in the country, and how the challenges have evolved. He does believe it is getting worse.

We asked if he still has family or sources there. He said he does have many sources that are in Cuba or family that travels to Cuba.

We talked about the government’s responses and the reports and what’s going on. He said that he doesn’t think the communications are correct and he cannot support a lot of the information. He explained that the internet is not working properly there.

He said what he does know is that the people want to survive and want to get food and proper medical help.