Exile community losing clout

Even empires expire. Some have lasted for centuries, others only for a few decades.

Don’t say I ampresumptuous to compare the rise and peak of power of the Cuban exile community with an empire. The parallel is that both rise, have a steady period of influence and then start their downfall.

That is what has begun to happen to the Cuban exile community of South Florida.

It took years for the community to be accepted into the power structure of MiamiDade County. The pioneers of the exile community had to seek approval fromthe powerful in the community, join the Chamber of Commerce, and who knows what other organizations.

Among those early advocates of integrating into the community power structurewas Leslie Pantín Sr., Bernardo Benes, Carlos Arboleya and JorgeMas Canosa.

All achieved success within the burgeoning Cuban community, but they saw— rightly so— the need to integrate into the greater MiamiDade County power structure.

Cuban Americans today play a significant role in most aspects of life in the South Florida community. Many of its city mayors are of Cuban origin. Three Cuban congressmen represent the area. One Cuban senator sits among the 100U.S. senators. But just like empires, the Cuban exile community has begun to decline. Many of the historical exiles, those that came in the early years of the rise of Fidel Castro, have died. We must remember the Castro dynasty has ruled Cuba for almost 60 years.

Still, the community grew, but slowly its homogeneity began to fray. Many are still solidly anti-Castro andwould dowhatever they can to see them abandon power and see a free Cuba once again.

Howmany Cubanswould return is a question often asked. Iwager that most of those who came in the first decadeswould remain in Florida.

Things are changing. Many of the richest Cubans in South Florida are interested in establishing commercial ties in Cuba to see if they can expand their reach to the island.

Each yearwe see thousands of new Cubans arrive in South Florida. Most of them have never lived in a free market society or in a democracy.

All this conspires against the continuation of the influence of the exile community in our area.

An example is theUniversity of Miami’s decision to oust those who hadworked for many years to establish a Center of Cuban American studies. Whocares if Roberto Goizueta, the former chairman of Coca-Cola, donated millions to the library to enrich its collection of Cuban related books.

Nowthe Center will focus on Latin American Studies. I wish them luck. TheUniversity of Florida has had one for decades and is miles ahead of what such a center might achieve in South Florida.

The point is theUniversity of Miami did its deed, and few in the community raised their voice in protest. Among the university’s board of trustees are many rich Cuban Americans who don’t seem to care.

I’m sorry to see what is happening. I am sure the founders of the exile communitywould be weeping if they could see what is happening. But then, they are gone, and those of us who remain do not have the influence to stop this cruel deed.

Guillermo I. Martínez lives in South Florida. Email him at Guimar123@gmail.com.