In Echo Park Many Local Cubans Celebrate Death Of Former President Fidel Castro
ECHO PARK (CBSLA.com) — In Echo Park Saturday, many Cuban-Americans were cheering the death of former Cuban president Fidel Castro.
CBS2's Greg Mills said he found little mourning.
"We couldn't sleep last night," said Arlene Villarin-Nalbandian, "we were waiting for this day, It's good."
That sentiment was echoed by another.
"I don't like to get happy when someone dies but I will make an exception right here." said Fernando Marquet.
As a teenager, Marquet moved to Miami in 1960 and with hundreds of other Cuban exiles, returned to Cuba in the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion designed to overthrow Castro.
As many as 114 were killed (some estimated it was more like 200) and more than 1,100 Americans and Cubans were rounded up and ended up in Cuban prisons, like Marquet.
"When I think of him I think of all the suffering. Especially myself. I left at 17, never been back," he said.
When he got out of prison, Marquet never looked back. He left many family behind.
"They're all gone. Never saw them again," he says.
Villarin-Nalbandian brought her Cuban aunt to the celebration.
Echo Park was chosen because renowned Cuban poet Jose Marti is honored with a bust there.
"We are here supporting the death of a tyrant, of a dictator," sje said.
Mills asked her if it was weird to be celebrating a man's death.
"I know," she said, " it's an oxymoron because as a Catholic, as a Christian, we don't do that."
Her aunt, Norma Figuerito, spent her life under Castro's rule and finally escaped to Los Angles seven years ago. Saturday, no one looked happier than she did.
What they're also celebrating is for the first time in their lifetime they believe there is hope in Cuba. Better days ahead for the people still there, Mills quoted many people as saying.
Castro's brother, Raul, has actually led the country for a decade. Many believe with Fidel gone, his brother will be better and do better for the country.
"I was a part of the revolution in the beginning and I know Raul and Fidel think in different ways," said Yoel Borges.
