Opinion: Political Rallies in Key West Ignore Reality

Political Rallies in Key West Ignore Reality By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco February 26, 2026

I’ve lived in Key West my entire life as a Cuban‑American, and in recent months I’ve noticed a wave of political activism on the island that often overlooks the lived experiences of the Cuban community. It has become common to see people wearing Che Guevara t‑shirts or ordering a “con leche”—a phrase that isn’t even the correct term for café con leche—as if these gestures alone reflect an understanding of Latino culture or Cuban politics. These displays are not cultural appreciation. They fall into cultural appropriation, and some activists may not realize the impact of what they are doing.

Che Guevara is frequently portrayed as a symbol of rebellion, but he openly acknowledged overseeing the execution of Cuban political opponents. When his image is worn casually, it can appear to celebrate the violence and repression associated with his legacy. This reflects a misunderstanding of history rather than solidarity with the Cuban people.

Connecting with Cuban culture requires more than clothing choices or trendy slogans. It requires respect, context, and a willingness to learn—not using someone else’s heritage to advance a political message. Many Latinos in Key West recognize when their identity is being used for political purposes, and they don’t appreciate being placed in that position.

Key West’s Cuban history is long and significant. Cuban immigrants helped build cigar factories, contributed to the fishing and sponging industries, and shaped the cultural identity of the island. Carlos M. de Céspedes, elected mayor in 1875, came from a Cuban family deeply involved in Cuba’s fight for independence; his father even freed the enslaved people on his plantation in Cuba.

For generations, Key West has served as a refuge for Cubans escaping oppression. Recent protests on the island often overlook this reality. For 67 years, Cubans have lived under an oppressive communist regime, a fact well documented by independent human rights organizations. When Cubans seek asylum in the United States, their claims are rooted in genuine fear of imprisonment, violence, or death.

My own family’s story reflects this history. My parents and grandparents were born in Cuba and came to Key West in the late 1950s to escape Communism. I grew up hearing about families separated, property seized, and people killed for opposing the regime. I will never forget the expression on my Cuban cousin’s face—a recent immigrant—when she walked into a Winn‑Dixie and saw shelves full of food. Her reaction was that of someone who had known ration books, scarcity, and hunger.

I am grateful every day to have been born in the United States. My appreciation for freedom is shaped by my family’s experiences. That is why it is difficult to hear people in Key West speak about oppression in ways that do not reflect their own lived reality. It is even more difficult when they attempt to speak on behalf of the Latino community.

Protesters in Key West often hold “No Kings” signs while living in the most free and wealthiest country in the world. These signs feel dismissive of the experiences of Cubans who have lived under an actual dictatorship. I try to assume the good intentions of the protesters, but their disconnect from reality is obvious.

I support the right to protest. Freedom of expression is a value I hold deeply. However, the contrast between protests in Key West and Cuba is stark. In Cuba, they protest knowing they may be arrested, beaten, or killed. In Key West, protests often resemble festive gatherings, complete with music, costumes, and a celebratory atmosphere. 

Recently put in Cuban prison for making a protest video against the Cuban communist regime.

The Cubans know real fear but protest anyway.  That is true courage.  The Americans protest knowing they are protected by the first amendment.  They can criticize the country giving them that freedom and nothing will happen to them.  The opposite happens to Cubans.

In Cuba, young men and women are imprisoned simply for speaking out against the government. They face starvation, beatings, and isolation. One young man was recently found hanging in his cell under suspicious circumstances. Officials called it a suicide, but many Cubans believe otherwise. Cases like his are tragically common.  

This raises important questions: Where are the protests for those Cubans? Where is the concern for people facing real oppression just 90 miles from our island? Why is it that only certain Latino experiences receive attention? Why are Latinos who oppose communism or support law and order overlooked?

The upcoming “Latino” protest planned in Key West does not reflect the experiences of many Latinos, particularly Cuban‑Americans. Encouraging people not to show up for work for two days harms the local economy and does nothing to support Latinos suffering in Cuba. 

The protest organizers are also asking for “no school, no restaurants, no deliveries and no shopping.”  They seek to totally shut down Key West.  They believe hurting our economy and the education of children is justified.  

We live by the “One Human Family" motto in Key West, and we don’t hurt each other financially or use our children to make political points.  This type of extreme political activism has no place in Key West. It feels like something being forced upon us by people who don’t know us or understand our culture and history.

The planned protest appears to focus on opposing law enforcement and advocating for open borders, not on issues affecting the Cuban community in Key West. As a Latina, I ask that our Latino community not be used to advance political agendas that do not reflect our lived experiences.  It should be called an “Open Borders/Anti-Ice” protest because that’s what it is.  It has nothing to do with the entire Latino community in Key West.

If the goal is to stand up for justice, then the focus should include those who are truly suffering. Ignoring the realities of some Latinos in order to advance a political message is not solidarity. It undermines the voices of those who have endured real oppression.

The recent political activists in Key West who claim to speak for all Latinos overlook centuries of Cuban history on this island and don’t represent Key West accurately. Its cultural heritage is deep and resilient. It won’t be erased by a few political protests from a small segment of the community who just recently showed up on the island.

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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.