SAN ANTONIO – Many are still reacting to news of the death of longtime Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.
The Caribbean island nation kicked off weeklong memorial services for Castro on Monday.
Antonio Utra calls Cuba home even though he's now an American citizen. He owns La Rumba Cocina Latina at 4929 Walzem Road and says people wanting authentic Cuban food go to his restaurant.
Utra fled Cuba in 2000 in search of the American dream. He said jobs in the island nation were scarce.
"The president that I know was Fidel Castro," Utra said.
Utra is not celebrating the news of Castro's death at the age of 90. Rather, he's eagerly awaiting his homeland's future progress.
"If something's not working, try to change it," Utra said in Spanish.
Monday the first U.S. commercial flight to Havana landed in more than 50 years. It was also the day a White House spokesman said neither President Barack Obama nor Vice President Joe Biden will attend Castro's funeral.
While some are mourning Castro's death, like many Cuban refugees are rejoicing.
Utra said there was a lot of suffering and separation in Cuba before he left, all because of one idea with a model of a terrible economy.
Although Cuba will always hold a special place in his heart, Utra is proud to call himself an American.