No community has shaped Miami politics more than Cuban exiles. From the first wave fleeing Castro in 1959 to recent arrivals, Cubans have built a political machine unmatched by any ethnic group in any American city.
The early exiles brought professional credentials, fierce anti-communism, and a determination to succeed. They built businesses, ran for office, and created institutions that amplified their influence far beyond their numbers.
By the 1980s, Cuban Americans dominated Miami politics. Mayors, commissioners, state legislators, and eventually members of Congress emerged from the community. The politics skewed conservative and Republican, driven by Cold War anti-communism.
Generational shifts have complicated this dominance. Younger Cuban Americans often reject their grandparents' politics. New arrivals from the Mariel boatlift and later waves don't share the ideology of the founding exile generation.
Yet the infrastructure remains. Spanish-language media, business networks, and family connections ensure Cuban influence continues even as the community diversifies. No serious politician in Miami ignores the Cuban vote—because no one can afford to.
