Cuban-Americans react to Castro's death

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NY) - Cuban-Americans in our area reacted to Castro’s death.

Union City, New Jersey, also known as Havana on the Hudson is home to many Cuban- Americans and voiced their reactions.

The news broke overnight, that the Cuban dictator Fidel Castro had died.

"We are happy.  Our celebration is not for the death of Fidel Castro, but it is about the celebration for his victims," said one Cuban American.

Former Cuban political prisoners celebrated his death and remembered what they had to live with under Castro’s regime.

"They tried to sentence me to 20 years, but they had nothing so they sentenced me to 3 years. I was naked. They beat me," said Eduardo Ochoa, a former Cuban political prisoner.  

There were a lot of hugs, flags waving, and tears.

"It is a little sad for the people who are not able to see what we are seeing like my parents. They died here. I'm happy today to see this could be hope for the Cuban people," said Joseph Rodriguez.

His death prompted cheers not only here, but also in Miami.

Cubans took over the streets. The celebrations began overnight and continued into the day.

"I shouldn't be happy because a person has died, but he separated my family. My parents never got to see Cuba again. So today, I rejoice for this," said one Cuban-American.