LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Raidel Medina, 30, knew he wanted to come to America already when he was 15.
In 2012, as a young man, the Cuban immigrant made the dream come true when he left the island nation for Ecuador, then Honduras, followed by Guatemala and Mexico, and finally crossed over into California.
Medina came to Louisville, became fluent in English, and is now majoring at the University of Louisville in Computer Information Systems.
Back in Cuba, however, remain his 16-year-old sister, parents and stepparents.
Now able to speak with them over a cell phone and through Facebook, Medina says they are still reluctant to talk about Fidel Castro even after he died.
“They kind of change the subject when you ask them about what's going on,” Medina pointed out after a phone call with his sister.
What is going on, his family relayed, is that Cuba is in nine days of mourning, during which drinking, dancing and partying are forbidden.
The U of L senior says he’s not happy that Castro is dead, more like hopeful.
However, when asked if bigger change can happen with Castro’s brother Raul still in charge, Medina said, “I don't think so, not in my personal opinion.”
But change is on the horizon, Medina believes, and he expects to see sweeping changes in his lifetime.
In the meantime, he’s pushing ahead with trying to bring his family to Kentucky.
He visits Cuba twice a year, but once the family is stateside, Medina said, “I don't see myself going back.”