The Cuban entrepreneur Yandry Roque Pando, owner of the renowned pastelería Ena’s Secret Bake in Florida, celebrated a special moment in his life this Tuesday: voting for the first time in the United States, a country he thanked for opening its doors and offering opportunities to succeed.
In a Facebook post, the Cuban, linked to the city of Tampa, expressed his excitement about participating in the elections on November 3 and dedicated a message of gratitude to the United States, to immigrants, and to those who arrived in the country seeking a better future.
"First of all, I thank God for allowing me to live this very special moment," he wrote at the beginning of his message.
Roque explained that participating in the voting held a significance for him that went beyond just going to the polls.
Today I exercise my right to vote for the first time in this great country that has opened its doors to me and given me so many opportunities. I do it with a heart full of gratitude, for the good of this nation and for democracy," he/she expressed.
The entrepreneur also wanted to express his gratitude to the immigrant community, with which he shares the experience of having left his home country and started a new life in the United States.
"God bless America, all Latinos, all immigrants, and every person who, like me, arrived in this land with dreams and a desire to work, fight, and advance with dignity," he stated.
His post concluded with another expression of satisfaction for having exercised this right: "Today I vote with faith, with hope, and with love for this land. All glory to God!"
Roque did not mention in his message which candidates he supported nor did he express a party preference. His reflection focused on the opportunity to vote, gratitude, and the value he places on his experience as an immigrant.
The Cuban is known in Florida for Ena's Secret Bake, a family bakery business with locations in Hialeah and Tampa, where he has worked alongside his grandparents to offer traditional Cuban sweets, including the popular birthday box.
Their business story drew attention due to the involvement of their grandparents, whom they brought over from Cuba, with whom they have kept alive a part of the culinary traditions of the Island.
He has also been involved in community initiatives. In August 2024, he distributed cakes for free on a street in Hialeah, accompanied by others, in an event that he shared on his social media.
Months later, following Hurricane Milton, he offered free food from his business in Tampa to those affected by the cyclone.
On that occasion, he explained that the important thing was to help those in need of food, without charging them for it.
Roque Pando's first vote takes place during an election day when other Cuban immigrants have also publicly shared their experiences, expectations, and motivations for participating.
One of those stories is about Lya Noriega, a 21-year-old Cuban who arrived in Miami when she was three and was preparing to vote for the first time in the elections this Tuesday.
Noriega explained that, although his political ideas differ from those of his family, he believes that participating in the elections is also a way to acknowledge the sacrifices his parents made when they emigrated from Cuba.
Another Cuban who recently shared his experience was Joel Díaz, who publicly explained his reasons for voting in the elections and defended immigrants who arrived in the United States through various means.
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