Cuba Resolution Passed at the Key West City Commission Meeting

The Cuba Resolution passes unanimously on 6/4/26 at the Key West City Commission meeting! Sponsored by Commissioner Lissette Carey.

Cuba Resolution Passed at the Key West City Commission Meeting

By: Liana Gonzalez- Blanco

June 5, 2026

In a stark contrast to the fake No Kings rallies which have taken place in Key West recently, the Key West City Commission passed a resolution standing in solidarity with the Cuban people’s struggle for freedom.

The vote was unanimous and passed by consent at the June 4, 2026 meeting. 

The resolution noted that Key West has deep cultural and historical ties to Cuba which remains a defining part of local identity. 

Key West’s well‑known ONE HUMAN FAMILY motto naturally aligns with rejecting the communist regime that has governed Cuba for 67 years, a system widely criticized for political repression and the denial of fundamental liberties.

For decades, Cubans fleeing hardship have risked the dangerous journey across the Florida Straits, with many arriving in Key West and becoming part of the island’s story. 

Reports from Sen. Marco Rubio and multiple human rights organizations describe a military‑controlled economy that concentrates power and wealth while everyday citizens face severe economic strain. 

Dissidents, artists, and young people continue to be imprisoned for exercising freedoms considered basic in the United States.

Key West’s long and unique connection to Cuba began in the 1830s with Cuban immigrants helping to shape the city’s economic and cultural foundation. 

By the 1880s, one‑third of Key West’s population was Cuban‑born, and Cuban cigar makers had transformed the island into a global manufacturing hub. 

In 1876, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada became the city’s first Cuban‑born mayor, marking a milestone in local civic life.

Key West also played a central role in Cuba’s independence movement. José Martí frequently visited the island, using the San Carlos Institute to organize support and inspire residents. 

Because of these efforts, Key West is often recognized as a birthplace of the movement for a free Cuba. 

The recent No Kings rallies in Key West where protesters pretend to live under a dictatorship seem foolish to the objective observer who knows about the well documented oppression happening in Cuba. 

Supporters of the resolution say that it honors the thousands of Cuban workers and families who built Key West’s early businesses, schools, and churches. 

The unanimous vote is both a tribute to the shared heritage with Cuba and an affirmation of the universal human dignity reflected in the city’s ONE HUMAN FAMILY motto.

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Liana Gonzalez-Blanco

Liana is a Key West native who loves writing about her island home. She taught English to students in grades 6–12 for nearly 35 years in Key West schools, sharing her love of literature and language with generations of local students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. Liana is the owner of Conch Media Group, LLC, and the creator and manager of The Key West Post. Her goal is to keep readers informed about the issues that matter most in Key West. As a lifelong local, she offers a perspective often missing from corporate media and from journalists and bloggers who are new to the island. When Liana isn't writing and managing this website, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. On most days, you’ll find her walking, biking, or running outdoors, soaking up the natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse cultures that make Key West so special. Some articles are free for everybody. However, readers can access all articles and support her local independent news website by joining a pay plan here and cancel anytime without any hassles. Membership includes the use of a free App. Readers can also join the free newsletter here.