Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is a prominent candidate for Florida governor, stated unequivocally in an NBC interview that his stance on Cuba is clear: "The regime must go. That's my vision. The regime has to leave."
With the endorsement of Donald Trump for the November 3, 2026 elections, Donalds elaborated on his vision for Cuba: "A free Cuba that respects freedom and property rights. I want to see a Cuba that allows those who fled the so-called revolution—which wasn't even a revolution for the people, but for communism, as Marco puts it—to return."
He was explicit about his hopes for the future of Cuban exiles: "We want to see those who fled be able to return to a nation grounded in freedom, peace, property rights, merit, and work ethic."
Donalds concluded with a politically charged statement: "I believe a free Cuba would be a valuable partner for Florida."
These remarks align with a stance that Donalds has maintained and intensified since launching his campaign.
On February 11, he posted on X: "My stance on Cuba is clear: the Cuban regime is a brutal and murderous communist dictatorship that has stripped the Cuban people of freedom for generations. The regime must go."
By March 17, he was even more forthright, noting that the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 cut off the Venezuelan supply of 26,000 to 35,000 barrels of oil per day to the island, leaving the regime at its weakest point. "We need to tighten the screws. It's time for that regime to fall," he declared.
Donalds is leading the Republican primaries for Florida governor, holding between 28% and 30% of the vote, according to March 2026 polls, and enjoys up to 62% support among Republican primary voters, as per pollster Ryan Tyson.
In a broader context, he leads Democrat Jerry Demings 43% to 36%, according to a University of North Florida survey.
The Cuban-American community in Florida—around 1.6 million people—represents a crucial voting bloc for his campaign, with regime change in Cuba becoming a central theme as the Republican primaries approach on August 18, 2026.
FAQs on Byron Donalds and Cuba's Future
What is Byron Donalds' stance on the Cuban regime?
Byron Donalds believes that the Cuban regime must be dismantled, as he views it as a brutal communist dictatorship that has oppressed the Cuban people for generations.
How does Byron Donalds envision a future Cuba?
Donalds envisions a free Cuba that respects individual freedoms and property rights, allowing exiles to return to a nation based on liberty, peace, and economic opportunity.
What impact does the Cuban-American community have on Donalds' campaign?
The Cuban-American community in Florida is a vital electorate for Donalds' campaign, and the call for regime change in Cuba is a central theme aimed at this demographic.