Escape From Cuba / The Mariel Boatlift / Little Havana Podcast
Escape From Cuba: The Mariel Boatlift of 1980 | Little Havana PodcastWhat triggered the largest mass migration in Cuban history—and how did it change Miami forever?In this episode of the Little Havana Podcast, we dive deep into the dramatic history of the 1980 Mariel Boatlift. In April 1980, rising economic crisis and political oppression boiled over when thousands of Cubans stormed the Peruvian Embassy in Havana seeking asylum. In response, Fidel Castro opened the Port of Mariel, sparking a chaotic six-month exodus. Over 125,000 Cuban refugees—known as Marielitos—crossed 90 miles of dangerous open ocean to reach freedom in Key West and Miami, Florida.Join us as we explore the human stories of survival, family reunions, the geopolitical tensions between President Jimmy Carter and the Castro regime, and the lasting cultural impact of the Mariel boatlift on South Florida.🔔 Subscribe to the Little Havana Podcast!If you enjoyed this deep dive into Cuban and Miami history, hit Like, leave a comment with your family's story, and Subscribe for more episodes on Cuban history and South Florida culture.
21 May 2026
El Gran Escape de Cuba — Episodio 1: Las Primeras Salidas (Década de 1960)
El Gran Escape de Cuba — Episodio 1: Las Primeras Salidas (Década de 1960)
¿Qué provocó la primera gran ola de escape de Cuba después de la Revolución?
En este episodio exploramos los primeros éxodos cubanos de los años 60, cuando miles de personas abandonaron la isla a través de salidas marcadas por el miedo, la incertidumbre y la esperanza.
Descubre las tres rutas principales del escape:
✈️ Operación Pedro Pan (1960–1962) — Más de 14,000 niños enviados solos a Estados Unidos en uno de los mayores éxodos de menores en la historia
🌊 El éxodo de Camarioca (1965) — Una salida caótica por mar que permitió a familias desesperadas cruzar el estrecho de Florida
🛫 Los Vuelos de la Libertad (1965–1973) — El mayor puente aéreo de refugiados en la historia de Estados Unidos
Desde decisiones desgarradoras hasta viajes peligrosos, este episodio revela el origen del éxodo cubano moderno y el impacto humano detrás de cada salida.
Este es solo el comienzo.
🎙️ Parte de la serie:El Gran Escape de Cuba — 60 años de éxodo
📍 Little Havana Podcast
18 May 2026
Escape from Cuba: Episode 1: The First Escapes (1960s)
What caused the first mass escape from Castro’s Cuba?
In this episode, we explore the first major Cuban exodus of the 1960s, when thousands fled the island through dangerous journeys, secret flights, and heartbreaking family separations.
This episode covers three of the most important escape routes from Cuba:
✈️ Operation Pedro Pan (1960–1962) — Over 14,000 Cuban children sent alone to the United States in one of the largest child refugee operations in history
🌊 The Camarioca boatlift (1965) — A sudden, chaotic opening that allowed Cubans to flee by sea through the port of Camarioca
🛫 The Freedom Flights (1965–1973) — The largest organized Cuban refugee airlift, bringing hundreds of thousands of Cubans to Miami
From Cold War tensions to personal stories of separation and survival, this episode breaks down the origins of Cuban migration, the policies behind it, and the human cost of leaving everything behind.
This is the beginning of a much larger story…
🎧 Part of the series:
Escape from Cuba — 67 Years of Escapes
16 May 2026
Roots of Raul Castro possible arrest. "Brothers to the Rescue shootdown"
Little Havana Podcast – The Raúl Castro Investigation: Brothers to the Rescue
In this explosive deep‑dive, we uncover the long, tangled history behind the newly renewed scrutiny surrounding Raúl Castro and his alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft — planes flown by Cuban exiles whose mission was to spot and save rafters fleeing the island in makeshift boats.
This episode takes you back to the beginning:• the rise of Brothers to the Rescue in Miami’s exile community• the humanitarian flights searching for balseros lost at sea• the secret infiltration of the group by Cuban intelligence• the events leading up to February 24, 1996• the international shock after two unarmed civilian planes were destroyed over international waters• the decades‑long fight for justice by families and survivors• and the new legal and political developments that have placed Raúl Castro’s name back into the global spotlight
Told with the emotional depth, cultural memory, and investigative clarity that define the Little Havana Podcast, this episode honors the victims, the exiles who never stopped fighting, and the truth that refuses to stay buried.
All information presented is based on publicly available reporting. Listeners are encouraged to verify details with trusted sources.
17 Apr 2026
Little Havana Tour
Little Havana Podcast Pack your bags (and your appetite)—we’re heading to the heart of Miami! In this episode, we take a stroll down the sun-drenched sidewalks of Calle Ocho to uncover the soul of Little Havana. From the click-clack of tiles at Domino Park to the historic significance of the Bay of Pigs Monument, we’re diving deep into the history that built this community. We’ll explore the "Hispanic Hollywood" on the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, shouting out stars like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan, and get a lesson in timeless Cuban fashion with a look at the iconic Guayabera shirt. Hungry? We settle the ultimate debate: who serves the best Cuban Sandwich? Whether it’s the legendary mirrors of Versailles or the modern perfection of El Pub in Little Havana Miami we’ve got the tasty details. Plus, we highlight the must-visit "hot spots"—from the live jazz at Ball & Chain to the artisanal scoops at Azucar Ice Cream.
8 Apr 2026
Little Havana Podcast: Cuban Culture, Music, Art & Artist Interviews
In this episode of the Little Havana Podcast, we sit down with local Cuban artists whose work fills the streets, galleries, and cafés of Little Havana. Each artist shares the story behind their art — and the story behind their exile.
From escaping Cuba’s restrictions to rebuilding their lives in Miami, these Cuban Americans open up about identity, loss, resilience, and the journey of becoming American while holding onto the soul of Cuba.
We explore their paintings, sculptures, music, and cultural expressions on display throughout Little Havana, and how their art preserves the traditions, memories, and spirit of a Cuba that no longer exists.
This episode is a tribute to the artists who turned exile into creativity, and to the community that keeps Cuban heritage alive for future generations.
7 Apr 2026
“Little Havana Podcast: Cuban Art in Little Havana Miami, Artist Interviews”
In this episode of the Little Havana Podcast, we sit down with Cuban artists from Miami’s iconic Little Havana to explore their artwork, their stories, and their journey from Cuba to the United States. These creators share powerful memories of escaping the island, living in exile, and rebuilding their lives as Cuban‑Americans.
We highlight their art on display throughout Little Havana — from galleries and studios to street murals and cultural spaces — and discuss how their work preserves Cuban identity, heritage, and the spirit of a homeland left behind.
If you’re interested in Cuban culture, Miami artists, immigrant stories, exile history, or Latin American art, this episode offers rare firsthand insight into the Cuban‑American experience and the creative voices keeping the culture alive
1 Jan 2024
Cuban Exodus "What really Happened"
What really happened with the Cuban Exodus once Fidel Castro took over in 1959.
We go over the details and find out exactly what really happened.
25 Dec 2023
Bay of Pigs Untold Truths Revealed
Bay of Pigs Invasion touching up on the historical event.
12 Dec 2023
Little Havana Nights "Cuban Background History"
In this episode we go back in time for a little background history that led to the Cuban Exodus of the 1960s and so on.
If you understand the past and the history, everything else will fall in place.
12 Dec 2023
Little Havana Nights (Trailer)
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