What I can't understand is WHY are the people who escaped for a better life, pro embargo... What, 70 years later? Seems like it's only being highly effective at hurting the general population

My father migrated from Cuba in the 60's and anytime I asked him whether it was worth me visiting he promptly said

"No, absolutely not. Don't even waste your time considering it. Castro ruined it and it will never be the same".

I think the moral is that for many Cubans the embargo isn't against the people, it's against the Cuban government, and they genuinely hate the government with every fiber of their existence. They hate what Castro took from them and have no dissolutions that letting up the embargo would strengthen that governments rule while only providing minuscule benefits to the people. Until the government regime changes in Cuba, any pressure we can apply is worth it.

Just to clarify, you are upholding your father's political retribution despite being born elsewhere and (presumably) never visiting? I'm genuinely curious.

What a strange question.

It was a traumatic event in his father’s life. There is no illogic in despising the people and organizations that brought about that misery on his father.

The answer to this question is so obvious I have trouble believing you are asking in good faith.

No, I'm genuinely curious.

The handful of Cubans I've known over the years expressed the same sentiment: Intense hatred for Castro and the Cuban government.

the point is that if it's not a swing state politicians don't care about the state wants. so the embargo might fall to the sidelines

Cuban exiles are about 50/50 on embargo. It’s been around a while, and obviously isn’t changing the regime. Making people poor doesn’t bring democracy.