A Cuban woman, previously a staunch supporter of the Republican Party and Donald Trump, has surprised her followers by announcing a shift in her political stance. In a Facebook video released just days before the November 3 midterm elections, she revealed her decision to vote Democrat.
Lisbeth Arzola Fadragas, who recorded the video immediately after casting her vote, conveyed a clear message: "I just exercised my right to vote. Today, I voted Democrat. I can hardly believe it myself. I've been a Republican. In past years, I voted for Trump. Today, I'm proud of what I just did."
The video quickly gained traction, garnering nearly 350,000 views in just a few hours, becoming a widely discussed topic among the Cuban community on social media as the elections approached.
Arzola clarified that her decision was not due to a change in her political identity but was driven by specific and personal reasons. "Today, I voted for my family. Today, I voted for my clients. Today, I voted for all the people who have been victimized, who were let in and still go to work in fear because they don't have a legal status yet," she stated.
Having arrived in the United States 11 years ago by crossing the border, Arzola argued that being an immigrant should not be grounds for denying opportunities: "Every immigrant, regardless of nationality—Cuban, Venezuelan, Mexican, Salvadoran, Haitian—if they are in this country doing things right, I feel, I believe, they deserve a chance to succeed."
In her written post, Arzola expanded on her reasons, highlighting the plight of sick individuals without access to healthcare insurance as another factor for her vote. She also drew a powerful comparison that resonated with her Cuban followers: "To me, nothing resembles communism or a dictatorship more than refusing to accept different viewpoints."
In the video, she emphasized that voting Democrat does not conflict with her opposition to communism: "Being against communism and all the harm it has brought us, especially as Cubans, doesn't contradict recognizing the wrongs being done."
Arzola hopes for change in the coming month. "If not, I am at peace with myself," she concluded.
Her testimony joins that of other Cubans expressing dissatisfaction with the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections. Wayne DeMario, a Miami-Dade businessman who voted for Trump in 2024, now regrets his decision following the deportation of his Cuban wife, who had been in the U.S. for nearly 25 years.
Additionally, Yasmany Moreno de Armas, a 32-year-old Cuban deported to the Central African Republic who supported Trump in 2024, has publicly urged voters to punish the president at the polls.
The Cuban voting dilemma in Miami has intensified due to ICE raids in Cuban-dense areas, deportations, and the I-220A immigration document issue, affecting between 300,000 and 550,000 Cubans unable to regularize their status.
Understanding the Cuban Vote Shift
Why did Lisbeth Arzola Fadragas change her vote from Republican to Democrat?
Lisbeth Arzola Fadragas changed her vote to advocate for her family, clients, and those without legal status, emphasizing that being an immigrant should not hinder opportunities.
How has the Cuban community in Miami reacted to these political shifts?
The Cuban community has been actively discussing these shifts, with many expressing dissatisfaction towards the Republican Party due to recent ICE raids and deportation issues.
What are some factors contributing to the discontent among Cuban voters?
Factors include ICE raids, deportations, and the inability to regularize status due to the I-220A document, affecting many Cubans in the U.S.