The President of the United States, Donald Trump, mentioned the powerful Cuban-American Fanjul family during a press appearance in which he spoke about Cuba and the role of Cuban exiles who have prospered economically in the United States.
In the midst of a response about the future of the island, Trump reminded Cuban entrepreneurs who have built great fortunes after leaving Cuba, specifically mentioning the Fanjul family, one of the most influential business dynasties in the exile community.
"I know a lot of people from Cuba who were treated very poorly and came here and became wealthy. They are very enterprising and very smart people," said the leader.
Trump explained that he recently met with family members who expressed a desire to return to the island, something they haven't been able to do in decades.
"I also know a fantastic person who is Cuban and made a fortune with sugar. You know, the Fanjul family. This family wants to return to Cuba to visit it. They haven't been there in about 50 years," he commented.
The Fanjul family is descended from a historic Cuban sugar family that left the island after the 1959 revolution. In the United States, they built a powerful sugar empire with companies like Florida Crystals and Domino Sugar, becoming one of the most influential families in the agricultural and business sectors in the country.
In addition to their economic weight, the family has had a notable political influence in the United States, particularly in Florida. For decades, they have been significant campaign donors and have maintained close relationships with leaders from both parties, including several U.S. presidents, among them Trump.
Her position has also been linked to the debate surrounding Washington's policy towards Havana. Sectors of the Cuban exile community, including influential business leaders, have historically supported a strong stance against the Cuban regime and the maintenance of economic and political pressures on the island's government.
In his speech, Trump also talked about Cuba's potential despite its deep current crisis.
"It's a beautiful island, with good weather and great people," he stated, although he described the country as "a very weakened nation" and harshly criticized the leaders of the Cuban regime.
The president emphasized that many Cubans in the United States would like to return to the island someday. "Not just the Fanjuls; many Cubans say they would love to come back," he noted.
Trump even stated that he believes he could have "the honor" of changing the political destiny of the country. "All my life, I've heard about the United States and Cuba. When will the United States do it? I believe I will have the honor of doing so," he said.
His statements rekindle the debate about the role that Cuban exiles and their descendants could play in a potential scenario of political changes on the island.
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