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By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco July 4, 2026 As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday next year, it’s a good time to remember what makes this country different. Here in Key West, we’re only about 90 miles from Cuba, so we’re closer than just about anyone else to seeing the difference between freedom and Communism. Around here, Cuba isn’t just something you read about in a history book—it’s part of our neighborhood, our history, and for many families, their personal story. Living in Key West, we joke about a lot of things. We argue over whether the best Cuban sandwich is on Duval or Stock Island, complain when cruise ships clog the harbor, and debate whose key lime pie deserves bragging rights. But one thing most people around here don’t joke about is what life under the Castro regime has meant for generations of Cubans. Some people today talk about Communism like it’s just another political opinion—kind of like arguing over property taxes or whether Fantasy Fest should last one weekend or two. But for many Cuban Americans, it’s not an abstract idea. It’s the reason their parents or grandparents packed everything they could carry and risked everything for a chance to live in America. Critics of Communism point out that history has been anything but kind to the ideology. Communist governments have been linked to famine, political repression, forced labor, censorship, and mass killings that historians estimate claimed roughly 100 million lives during the twentieth century. That’s why Key West residents know that Communism isn’t simply another economic theory. Most on the island reject the fake “No Kings” rallies. They know the truth about the failure of Communism. It’s a system that puts government ahead of the individual and gives the state enormous power over everyday life—what people can say, what they can own, where they can worship, and even whether they can criticize their leaders. Here in the Florida Keys, we don’t have to imagine what happens when freedom disappears. We can literally see Cuba from our corner of the world. We’ve welcomed Cuban refugees who escaped it, listened to their stories, and watched families separated for decades because of it. America certainly isn’t perfect. We’ve made mistakes, argued with each other, and spent nearly 250 years trying to live up to the promises made in the Declaration of Independence. But the difference is that Americans have the freedom to argue, vote, protest, worship, start businesses, buy property, criticize politicians, and work to make the country better. That’s a very different system from the Cuban Communist system where the government decides nearly everything. As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, it’s worth celebrating those freedoms—and remembering that they didn’t come free. Generations of Americans sacrificed, fought and died to preserve our freedoms. Here in Key West, that reality feels especially close to home. After all, we’re surrounded by sunshine, saltwater, and history. We know the Gulf stream can carry you a long way—but it also reminds us that 90 miles can be the difference between living under a Constitution and living under a dictatorship. So while we enjoy the fireworks, the backyard barbecues, and maybe one more slice of key lime pie, it’s also worth remembering why Independence Day matters. Freedom is easy to celebrate, but it still has to be protected. 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.

In-person candidate debates will be held for all Monroe County candidates June 24th,5:30PM, at the Tennessee Williams Theatre, 5901 College Ave, Stock Island, FL. Michael Stapleford from Keys Talk Radio will moderate the debates. The public is invited to attend this free event and to submit questions ahead of time to “mmstapleford@yahoo.com”. For those who cannot attend, the debates will be broadcast live on 96.9 & 102.5 FM.

By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco June 5, 2026

The Cuba Resolution passes unanimously on 6/4/26 at the Key West City Commission meeting. It was ponsored 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. 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.

Cuban Communist Dictator Raul Castro Indicted for Murder By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco May 20, 2026 The 1996 Shoot‑Down That Still Haunts South Florida On February 24, 1996, three small Cessna planes from Brothers to the Rescue were flying just off Key West in international airspace. Their mission was simple: look for Cuban rafters in distress and call the U.S. Coast Guard when someone needed help. Out of nowhere, a Cuban fighter jet appeared and opened fire on the unarmed civilian aircraft. Two of the planes were blown out of the sky. Three Americans and one green‑card holder were killed — a deliberate, premeditated attack. The victims were Armando Alejandre Jr. (45), Carlos Costa (29), Mario de la Peña (24), and Pablo Morales (29). Alejandre was a Vietnam veteran and advocate for Cuban political prisoners. Costa, a skilled pilot and former Coast Guard reservist, had spent years scanning the Straits for rafters. De la Peña was young, disciplined, and deeply committed to humanitarian flying. Morales had once escaped Cuba by raft himself and volunteered to help others find the same freedom. All four were flying unarmed civilian aircraft when they were shot down over international waters. Most of them were in their twenties. They vanished in a fireball and fell into Cuban waters. Their bodies were never recovered, but their names have never been forgotten. Castro’s Boasting and Washington’s Silence Fidel Castro later bragged about the attack in interviews. There’s even an audio recording of Cuban officials giving the order and cheering during the murder. For decades, the families of the victims have pushed for justice. Bill Clinton was president at the time, and nothing happened. Years later, Barack Obama traveled to Cuba to watch a baseball game with Raúl Castro. His administration eased travel restrictions and pursued a diplomatic thaw, even though U.S. law requires reforms in Cuba before any real normalization. Helms–Burton Act: The Law That Froze the Embargo The Helms–Burton Act, signed by Clinton in 1996, locked the U.S. embargo into federal law, meaning only Congress can lift it. It outlined what a democratic transition in Cuba should look like, allowed Americans to sue foreign companies profiting from confiscated Cuban property, and barred executives of those companies from getting U.S. visas. Obama didn’t technically violate Helms–Burton by visiting Cuba. The law freezes the embargo unless Congress changes it, but it doesn’t stop a president from traveling or opening diplomatic channels. Obama went to Havana in March 2016 — the first U.S. president to visit since 1928 — to reopen relations, expand communication, and support small private businesses. He enjoyed a baseball game with the man who ordered the murder, Raul Castro. His trip came months before Fidel Castro died in November 2016. Legal Cases and Long‑Delayed Accountability Two Cuban fighter pilots and the head of Cuba’s air force were eventually charged with murder in U.S. federal court, though they were never brought to trial. In civil court, the families sued the Cuban government and won nearly $50 million in compensatory damages and more than $137 million in punitive damages. Now, in 2026, justice may finally be catching up to Raúl Castro — the man believed to have given the final order to shoot down the Cessnas. Unlike Clinton and Obama, President Trump has refused to look the other way. Some credit Secretary of State Marco Rubio — whose father fled communist Cuba — for the administration’s tougher stance. Congressional Voices Speak Out Florida Congressman Carlos Giménez, born in Havana and now representing Florida’s 28th District (including all of Monroe County and the Keys), spoke at today’s press conference about the pending indictment. He reminded everyone that a government’s first duty is to protect its citizens and said this case has gone far too long without consequences for Raúl Castro. Justice may be late, he said, but accountability eventually comes. He added that the Cuban‑American community has prayed for this moment for decades. New York Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, whose father is Greek and whose mother fled Cuba in 1959, offered a broader view of the regime’s brutality. She noted that justice has been delayed not only for the 1996 shoot‑down, but for 67 years of repression — jailing, beating, starving, and murdering the Cuban people. She reminded the crowd that in 2021, during the Biden administration, Cubans took to the streets demanding freedom. They were beaten, jailed, and even children were imprisoned. She criticized Biden for doing nothing to help, including refusing to provide internet access to the island. Malliotakis also called out colleagues who blame the U.S. for Cuba’s suffering instead of the communist regime responsible for it. Some Local Media Looks Away Here in Key West, local corporate media has mostly sidestepped the story. One outlet reposted an AP wire piece; another ran a feature on the “best Cuban sandwich in Key West.” They eagerly cover the “No Kings” marches in Key West by liberal leaning groups but rarely mention the reality of life in Cuba today under a real dictatorship. The Cuban people have no food or electricity. What little they find, they must cook over a wood fire because there is no power. Medical care is the bare minimum. They don’t even have proper burials for the dead. The Cuban leaders live in another reality. They send their kids to get educations and live in luxury in Europe. They have food, health care and luxuries like expensive homes and cars. The contrast is stark and responsible journalism demands that news organizations just 90 miles away from this suffering actually report on it. This level of suffering can't be ignored. The shouts for justice merely become louder, while local corporate media looks the other way. The City of Miami just recently uncovered the abuses by showing how Cuban leaders used humanitarian licenses to purchase sports cars, jacuzzies, and other luxury items for the regime, while some Cubans can’t even find bread to eat and live in darkness without electricity or gas. This reality is barely mentioned, if at all, by local corporate media. This silence allows other communist voices to grow, but social media cuts both ways. Even recent attempts by communist organizations in the U.S. like Code Pink were mocked on social media for glamorizing the suffering in Cuba. One podcaster was seen taking video of children dancing while bribing them with candy to do so. They were also criticized for staying in one of the few hotels in Havana with power. They traveled all the way to Cuba to promote the fantasy that the Cuban people are happy and have all the they need and want. They promoted a lie and nobody fell for it. When the free Venezuelan oil from Maduro stopped, the suffering increased more than ever. Sadly, the local corporate media in Key West, which happily pushes liberal causes, like fake "No Kings" rallies, failed miserably on reporting the truth about the horrible conditions in Cuba. It is either willful ignorance, lack of compassion, or allegiance to left wing causes that explains such a huge blind spot in such horrible conditions just 90 miles away from Key West. The Drone Threat and the Axios Report Recent U.S. intelligence reports say Cuba has acquired more than 300 military drones, reportedly from Russia and Iran, and stored them across the island. Officials say Cuban leaders have discussed possible contingency plans involving drone strikes on Guantánamo Bay, U.S. naval vessels, and even Key West. There’s no sign of an imminent attack, but the reports are serious. The story was first broken by Axios, based on classified U.S. intelligence. Every major outlet — CBS News, Reuters, Newsweek, the Miami Herald — cites Axios as the original source. Cuba hasn’t denied having drones but claims the reports are fabricated to justify U.S. pressure. President Miguel Díaz‑Canel insists Cuba “poses no threat” and says any military capability is purely defensive. The U.S. has responded by increasing surveillance flights around the island — a clear signal to Havana. Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay posted on X that there’s no immediate cause for alarm and that his office is monitoring the situation. Key West’s Past Support — And What Comes Next Back in 2021, the Key West City Commission unanimously passed a resolution supporting the Cuban people and acknowledging their suffering. Mayor Johnston and Commissioners Kauffman, Hoover, Lopez, Weekly, and Wardlow all voted yes. Now, in May 2026, it may be time for another resolution. The idea that being “nice” to dictators reduces suffering has been proven wrong again and again. Giving authoritarian regimes more money and power doesn’t make them kinder — it makes them bolder. A New Strategy for a New Moment The U.S. offered Cuba $100 million in humanitarian aid, but they rejected it because the U.S. refused to let the regime control the goods and resell them to Cubans at inflated prices. That scam is over. If the Cuban regime plans to stall until Trump leaves office — a tactic borrowed from Iran — they may want to reconsider. If Marco Rubio becomes president next, the pressure on Havana will only increase. Fidel Castro is gone. Raúl Castro is 95. Nicolás Maduro is in federal prison. The downfall of communism in Cuba is near. Today, on May 20, 2026, Senator Ashley Moody joined top federal officials in Miami today as the Justice Department announced a historic indictment against former Cuban president Raúl Castro for murder and conspiracy tied to the 1996 shoot‑down of two Brothers to the Rescue planes. A grand jury charged Castro and five others for their direct role in the attack that killed four U.S. nationals. The press conference — held at Miami’s Freedom Tower with Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Deputy Director Christopher Raia, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier — laid out the full case. Officials say the indictment isn’t just about accountability for the past; it’s also a strategic move to ramp up pressure on the communist regime, push for the release of political prisoners, and strengthen the U.S. position in future negotiations. Freedom is coming to Cuba soon. Venezuela is finally free of a murdering dictator like Maduro. Cuba is next and when that day comes, Key West will feel the change, whether some acknowledge the failure of communism or not. Key West is 90 miles from Cuba. Its history and economic future is partly tied to Cuba. Key West was once a homebase for Cuban Independence fighters. It offered a safe haven for many who fled communism. It enjoys a Cuban culture so much that Cuban cuisine and music is part of its cultural fabric. The Key West tourism economy may one day see cruise ships and a daily ferry to Cuba like Key West enjoyed before Fidel Castro rose to power. Will the Florida Keys see more tourism or less when Cuba opens for business? Will tourists bypass Key West altogether, or will they add it to their Cuba travels? No one knows yet, but one thing is certain: this is a moment of real change and hope for the Cuban people. Maybe one day their suffering will finally end. 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.

By: Staff Writer

By: Liana Gonzalez-Blanco