The Florida-Cuba Connection by Rafael Penalver

The Matecumbe Historical Trust will host this month’s free presentation at the Islamorada Public Library located at 81830 Overseas Highway on Tuesday, August 22nd at 6:30 pm. Rafael Penalver will give an overview of the history of Cuba and the Florida connection with special emphases on the role played by Key West and the Keys. Follow the history of the Island Nation and its impact on Florida from the Spanish exploration and colonial rule, the Spanish American war, the Cuban Republic, the Castro Revolution, Bay of Pigs, the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. The Mariel Exodus, the Post-Soviet era and the influence of Florida’s Cuban American community will be told by Rafael who came from Cuba as a young boy. He will share what the future might hold with the new leader of Cuba today.

Rafael Penalver is president of Key West’s historic San Carlos Institute. Penalver, a native of Cuba, came to the United States in 1961. He graduated from the University of Miami Law School and practices law in Florida and Washington, DC.
The presentation is free and open to the public. For information call 305-393-0940.