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Many view Fidel Castro's death as celebration of death of 'tyrant'

MIAMI — Calle Ocho hasn’t slept since news of Fidel Castro’s death sent shock waves through the Cuban community.

Inside a cathedral 20 minutes away, other Cuban-Americans celebrated quietly, but with the same passion.

"We have a lot of pain. Families and friends have been dying in the water. Parents and friends have been dying in Cuba. It's not fair what he do with our country," said Cuban-American Rascera Ochoa.

Everyone had a story to tell. Members of a group walking out of the cathedral said they had been political prisoners in Cuba.

The Ramundos were two of 14,000 children who came to the United States unattended as part of the Peter Pan flights.

“I am exhilarated, and not because I am happy that he died. I am happy any time that Cubans get closer to each other,” Mattie Ramundo said.

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado has a wall full of pictures of himself with American presidents from his time as a White House correspondent.

Regalado said he was also part of the Peter Pan flights.

"My father was a political prisoner. He died and couldn't see the day where Fidel died," Regalado said. "Throughout the world, when a tyrant dies, people celebrate. It's not the celebration of the death of a human being. It's the celebration of the death of a symbol and a tyrant."

A Miami shop owner told Channel 9 that it was difficult to move to the U.S., but the hard work was rewarding in the end.

"The first time was terrible," she said. "We don't have money to eat or anything. But little by little, in this country, you can do whatever you want if you work hard."

Since Castro’s death, Cuban-Americans have congregated in the Little Havana portion of Miami for nothing short of a festival.

Castro’s brother Raul took over the leadership of Cuba eight years ago.

But for the people making music with pots and dancing in the street, Castro’s death means hope that their homeland might see changes in a communist government that has reigned for the last six decades.

Miami-Dade County's mayor, Cuban-American Carlos Gimenez, released a statement: "Despite this historic moment, however, we know that Fidel's brother Raul continues to lead one of the world's most repressive governments. My hope is that a free and democratic Cuba with the same freedoms we treasure here in the United States will soon emerge."

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