ORLANDO, Fla. – Cuban-Americans in Central Florida were dancing, cheering and waving signs after learning Cuban dictator Fidel Castro has died.
News 6 caught up with some locals rejoicing and celebrating the news at the Old Cuban Cafe on Goldenrod Road in Orlando Saturday morning.
"Cuba has been a country that has been stuck in time for so long that to see the dictator who put it in that position is finally out of the picture, so it's definitely something very big," Grecia Perez said.
They told News 6 they aren't celebrating his death, but rather the end of a regime that tore families apart.
"Too many people died in Cuba for this guy, you know," Carlos Pulido said.
They are hopeful that democracy and independence could come to the shores of the island nation now that Castro has passed away.
"We pray that now maybe there can be movement with Raul Castro. That he maybe does something to make the people freer," Carlos Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez's family left Cuba in 1960. He visited the island for the first time three weeks ago. He told News 6 that the people there are still oppressed, and hopes Castro's death will change the country for the better.
He added that he wishes his parents could have lived to see today.
"They're rejoicing in heaven absolutely, they're rejoicing in heaven," Rodriguez said.
Castro's death marks an end to an era, and they hope the beginning of change.
"Finally he died! Justice. He's in hell right now!" Alina Ruiz said.
"It's a feeling you don't know how to describe, it's wow! That's all you can say. 50 years is over. Wow! That's it!" Roy Banos said.