MIAMI – He's the face -- some say the impetus -- of renewed U.S.-Cuba relations.
Alan Gross was released from a Cuban prison on Dec. 17, 2014 -- the same day that President Barack Obama announced diplomatic changes with the Castro government.
"The media in the U.S. has not given Cuba more credit," Gross told Local 10 News while in Miami for Social Media Week.
Gross said he's by no means a supporter of the Cuban government, but he said there have been significant changes when it comes to internet access.
"When I got to Cuba and when I was arrested, for most Cubanos, internet access was illegal," Gross said Monday.
But that changed in June 2013. Although it's not where he wants it to be, Gross hopes it gets better.
Gross also spoke about other changes in Cuba, ranging from the Cuban economy to the private sector, which has been allowed to grow on the communist island. He also took a shot at Congress.
"They didn't have the balls to stand up and do what the right thing is to do, but the president did," Gross said.
Gross gives Obama credit, saying there is correlation between the president's ease on travel and remittances and Cuba's economy.
Cuban President Raul Castro eased laws in 2008, allowing some small private businesses.
"If we in the United States want to the government of Cuba to get out of the way of the private sector and private citizens, then we need to the do the same thing," Gross said. "We need to get out of way. Let's not be hypocrites. Let's get rid of the embargo."
The Cuban government has recently been criticized amid allegations that it is trying to restrict a flourishing private sector. Gross said he knows why.
"They're afraid," Gross said. "This government in Cuba has fear in its DNA. They don't know how they're going to hold on."
Gross points the finger at both sides as to why it took so long for the countries to renew their relationship.
"The level of belligerence that comes out of this country and the level of belligerence that comes out of Cuba has helped to maintain an antagonistic relationship for some many years," Gross said.
Gross also said there's only one presidential candidate ready for the future of U.S.-Cuba relations.
"There's only one person who could do it, and that's Hillary Clinton," he said.