Poll: Most Cuban-Americans back Obama’s Cuba shift

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A majority of Cuban-Americans support the White House’s new policy toward Cuba, according to a new poll released Wednesday, with 51 percent saying they agree with President Barack Obama’s decision to begin normalizing relations with the country and 40 percent opposing.

In the same poll conducted last December — after Obama’s announcement — 44 percent responded that they agreed with the change, and 48 percent disagreed.

Among Cuban-Americans born in the United States, that number is higher, with 66 percent agreeing; though only 45 percent of those born in Cuba agree with Obama’s decision.

By and large, younger Cuban-Americans born in the United States, and those who do not live in Florida, are more likely to support re-establishing relations.

Only 32 percent of Cuban-Americans who came to the U.S. before 1980 say they disagree with the move, while only 32 percent are in favor, compared with the 56 percent who came after 1980 who support the change in policy.

A majority of respondents aged 18 to 49 said normalizing relations is a good idea (69 percent for 18 to 29; 60 percent for 30 to 49), while a slim plurality of respondents aged 50 to 64 approved. Among those 65 and older, only 38 percent approve, compared to 54 percent who disapprove.

Among Florida residents, 41 percent back the policy change, compared with 49 percent who do not. A majority of Cuban-Americans living elsewhere in the U.S. responded that they support the move — 69 percent, compared with 23 percent.

A majority of the respondents — 56 percent — backed the easing of travel restrictions between the two countries, though 67 percent also said they have no plans to visit soon.

The Miami Herald reports that the findings will be presented at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s Cuba Opportunity Summit in New York.

The poll, conducted by Bendixen and Amandi International in English and Spanish from March 20 to 25, surveyed 400 Cuban-Americans living in the United States with an overall margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points.