The Cuban Joel Díaz, who identifies as a Republican and arrived legally in the United States as a child, defended immigrants who entered the country through the border or by raft, while publicly explaining the reasons that led him to vote in the 2026 legislative elections, despite his rejection of President Donald Trump.
In a post shared on Facebook, Díaz shared that he decided to exercise his right to vote to express his disagreement with the treatment certain immigrants receive in the United States, regardless of how they arrived in the country.
«Although I have lived here since I was a child and entered legally because my family are political prisoners, I do not feel superior to those who entered through borders or on rafts», he wrote.
"I voted for the honest and hardworking people who deserve an opportunity," she expressed, before stating that she also wanted to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives defending rights and freedoms in the United States.
In his message, he specifically mentioned Renée Good and Alex Pretti, two American citizens who died in January 2026 after being shot by federal agents during immigration operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Good died on January 7 after being shot by an agent of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while Pretti, an intensive care nurse, passed away on January 24 after being shot by Border Patrol agents.
Both cases prompted protests and calls for investigations into the actions of federal authorities.
"I voted for RENNE GOOD, I voted for ALEX PRETTI, forgetting them would be UNFORGIVABLE," wrote Díaz, who also defended individual freedom to decide without facing attacks for political preferences.
One day later, on October 24, the Cuban spoke again on Facebook to explain that he felt satisfied with his decision, especially after having abstained from the 2024 presidential elections.
"Today I slept like a baby, at peace with myself, I made up for a mistake I made in 2024," he stated.
Díaz acknowledged that he then decided not to go to the polls because, as a Republican who rejected Donald Trump, he felt that abstaining was the right thing to do. However, he stated that his way of thinking had changed.
"In life, we learn from our mistakes. Today I realize that remaining in the shadows does not solve the problem; we need to do more to resolve it," he reflected.
He also explained that he had voted for those who wish to do so but cannot, and especially for the hope of restoring a political environment less characterized by personal conflicts.
The Cuban assured that he received insults after publicly expressing his decision, although he also stated that he felt grateful for the numerous positive comments. He questioned why some people resort to insults to defend their political beliefs.
"Anyone who has solid arguments to support their ideas does not need to insult or try to offend anyone," he stated.
Díaz did not explicitly reveal which candidates he voted for, although he made his Republican identification clear, expressed his rejection of Trump, and voiced his concern about the treatment of immigrants.
However, she accompanied one of her posts with several blue hearts, a gesture that could be interpreted as a sign of support for the Democratic Party, whose signature color is blue.
Her statements align with those of other Cubans who have publicly shared their electoral choices and their disagreements with certain policies of the U.S. administration.
Recently, Lisbeth Arzola Fadragas, a Cuban Republican who had previously voted for Trump, announced that this time she has supported Democratic candidates.
The woman explained that she made that decision with her family, her clients, and the immigrants living in the United States without having been able to regularize their status in mind.
Similarly, Miriam Bidot, another Cuban Republican living in Miami, defended her decision to vote Democrat.
Among his reasons, he mentioned the situation of immigrants, healthcare, and the rejection of racism and discrimination.
In that regard, another Cuban affirmed that she lost family and friends for voting Democrat, although she stated that she did not regret her decision.
There have also been accounts from Cubans who voted for Trump in 2024 and are now expressing disappointment with some of his government's measures.
The Cuban-American immigration lawyer Ismael Labrador, residing in Miami, regretted having supported the president after one of his cousins was deported to Cuba.
He explained that he expected the expulsions to focus on individuals with criminal records.
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