TAMPA, Fla. — Dozens of Cuban Americans and supporters gathered at Al Lopez Park in Tampa on Saturday, calling for change and freedom for Cuba after decades of oppression.
"We want freedom for Cuba," Maria Deville said.
WATCH: Tampa's Cuban community rallies at Al Lopez Park to demand freedom and an end to the island's regime
Demonstrators waved Cuban flags, chanted, and stopped traffic at the intersection of Himes Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway. Tampa police were on the scene to guide traffic and keep the peace.
With a large Cuban community in Tampa, many attendees pointed to President Trump's administration and talks of taking down the Cuban regime. Demonstrators noted the tough sanctions applied to nations like Venezuela and said they want that same pressure placed on Cuba.
Speaking in Spanish, Roberto Pizano expressed his frustration.
"We’re still here, fighting for Cuba’s freedom after 67 years of one of the worst tyrannies in the Americas," Pizano said.
Many chanted, "Cuba Next, Cuba Next."
"This is how we feel, straight from the heart. Cubans want to be free, and we want it now," Liwan Segui said in Spanish. "If no one helps us, we can’t be free because the dictators have weapons, and the people don’t."
The rally comes as Cuba faces a growing humanitarian crisis right now. Fuel shortages are causing widespread blackouts and straining food and water supplies. The crisis intensified after the U.S. cut off oil from Venezuela, which is Cuba’s primary supplier. Since then, the country has struggled to recover, and much of the island remains in the dark.
"Our family members in Cuba have been suffering for over six and half decades. This is the end, it’s a little bit of an extra challenge, but we’re willing to endure it if it means we can liberate our family they’ll be free to live a democracy like we’ve enjoyed in this country," Rafael Pizano said.
Throughout the rally, the crowd echoed chants of "Cuba libre" and "Patria y vida," which translates to "Homeland and life." The slogan and song serve as a direct challenge to the Cuban government’s message of "Homeland and death."
"We're tired of repression," Deville said.
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