In Little Havana, Trump's Cuban-American Base Sounds Off at Versailles

To understand why Cuban Americans and Cuban exiles in Miami-Dade County vote for a Republican candidate for presidency year after year — this being Donald J. Trump for the past two elections going on three — one must understand both the history of the Cuban people, as well as the culture that defines them so boldly.

And there is no better place to grasp both than at the cafecito-brewing and chisme-flowing beating heart of Miami's Cuban population: Versailles Cuban Restaurant on Calle Ocho in Little Havana.

Around lunchtime on Tuesday, November 5, Election Day in the United States, the restaurant's popular outdoor ordering window, lovingly nicknamed "La Ventanita," located to the right of the main entrance of Cafe Versailles, was filled with its usual regulars: abuelos with walking canes munching on freshly fried croquetas, police officers and bomberos placing colada orders, men clad in suits bustling through the side doors (plenty of Cuban abuelas reassured me that local politicians were having lunch inside), and young couples in line ready to order pastelitos de guayaba y queso.

But this isn't your typical Tuesday lunch crowd at Versailles — it's Election Day, and every single person aforementioned above is decked out in at least one item of clothing that boldly, and at times more subtly, shows they voted for former president Donald J. Trump. And they are proud of it.

New Times spoke to these regulars to uncover not only who they voted for in the 2024 primary election, but why they voted for who they did, why they chose Versailles of all places to gather on Election Day, and what exactly they ordered.

(TLDR: Out of the 30 people surveyed at the restaurant, ranging in ages from 19 to 91, all voted for Trump.)

Understanding the People of Versailles: the Cuban American Distinction as Exiles Versus Immigrants

What makes Cuban immigrants unique compared to most immigrant groups in the United States is that they commonly classify themselves not as immigrants or refugees but as exiles. This clear distinction is engrained within them — especially those who came to the United States during the Cuban diaspora for the chance at a better life.

Cuban exiles fled Cuba due to the Cuban Revolution in 1959 under the communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro and settled in the United States. The exilio, as those who experienced it refer to it, also called the "Cuban diaspora," occurred in several waves, with different groups of immigrants (refugees and exiles) arriving to the U.S. at different times.

The first wave occurred between 1959 and 1962 and then again between 1965 and 1973. This wave was dominated by upper- and middle-class refugees, also designated as exiles. Many Cuban exiles during this early wave were upper- and middle-class people who fled Cuba believing they would return after Fidel Castro's dictatorship and government was removed from power. This never happened. When speaking with those over the age of 60 at Versailles on Tuesday, many are Cuban exiles who fled Cuba during this wave.

The second wave came between 1980 and 1994. This wave of people was dominated by lower-class immigrants who fled as refugees. One of the most impactful moments during this wave occurred during the Mariel boatlift, the mass emigration of people from Cuba to the United States by boat between April and October of 1980.

Both groups fled Cuba to major cities like Miami, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Due to being displaced from their beloved homeland, it is common for Cuban Americans to be incredibly proud to be American, as it gave their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the chance of a better life.

This displacement due to communism also cements their steadfast hatred of socialism and communism, which usually dictates their vote. Hence, why a recent Florida International University survey has declared Cuban Americans' support for Trump is at an all-time high in 2024.

Versailles Regulars on Election Day: Trump and Conversations over Croquetas

11:30 a.m.: "I'm a Republican of over 58 years — 58 years ago, I arrived in the United States," says a man in Spanish who is seated outside of Versailles on the front terrace. He wears a "Trump 2024" red visor that has orange strands of spiked hair sticking out from the rim (resembling Trump). "Trump has been the best president — sometimes he's a bit crazy when he speaks, but he's been the best president in the United States in all of history. I arrived to the United States 58 years ago. I was arrested seven times in Cuba."

He's at Versailles to meet a few friends — not even to order food or coffee — and, of course, "to celebrate," he says.
11:35 a.m.: "I voted for Trump because I'm for the democracy and for Trump," says a man in Spanish who dined at Versailles for a late breakfast with his family. "I'm not a communist and I'm not a socialist. I love freedom. Only Trump will do this for us."

He had café con leche, empanadas, and pastelitos.
11:40 a.m.: Upon walking into the main dining room, I encountered an elderly Cuban woman dressed to the nines — complete with an American flag lapel pin, a red, white, and blue silk scarf, red lipstick, and red nails. (Cuban abuelas truly know how to accessorize.) She was reading a newspaper.

"I voted for Trump because he's the only one who can be president," she says in Spanish. "He's the only one who can do it on paper."

She ordered croquetas.
11:45 a.m.: Cars begin to pass by with flags in support of Trump. Each vehicle would deliberately slow down — some would even slam the breaks — just to yell and wave at those ordering at La Ventanita at Versailles. Versailles has a long history of hosting presidential candidates, sitting presidents, local politicians, and even national politicians. When a major political event occurs, hoards of Miami residents crowd Eighth Street in front of Versailles to celebrate — or protest.
11:50 a.m.: "We need a president who fixes this country," says a man in a red polo decked out in multiple chains (and even a rosary). "This country is on the brink of bankruptcy. Everything is very expensive right now: rent, gasoline, food, groceries, everything. Let's see if he will lower the price of gasoline and prices of everything. We have to believe in him that he will be a good president for four more years. Thank God we can put him in the White House today. He will win. This country has so much potential — he is the only one who can fix it. Trump."

He came for the chisme with a side of cafecito.
11:55 a.m.: "I voted today for Trump as an early voter. I hope he wins. I was hoping he'd win in 2020, which is why I'm wearing this hat from that year, but I believe this year we'll have victory," says a woman outside at La Ventanita waiting for her order.

She says she's at Versailles because it is the soul of the community. "This is the pulse of the community in Miami. For political events and to experience our community, we always come to Versailles."
12 p.m.: By Noon, two women appeared with "Florida Is Trump Country!" signs. When asked why they chose to bare their "Trump" hats and signs at Versailles of all places, they said there was no action elsewhere — and it was hard to find like-minded people. "There was no action. We knew Versailles would be the spot. Versailles is where everyone who is Republican gathers," says a woman.
12:05 p.m.: In a look that is as patriotic as it is fashionable, a woman subtly shows off a classic red "Make America Great Again" baseball cap, which has become Trump's trademark slogan since 2016. Instead of wearing the cap, she attached it as a keychain to her red tote.