MIAMI – Local 10 investigative reporter Bob Norman spoke with a Cuban dissident who was freed after spending 17 years in prison for speaking out against the government.
"What caused him to be jailed when he was 17 was just speaking out on behalf of freedom, questioning authority and you can't do that in Cuba," said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Miami).
But former political prisoner Jorge Luis Garcia Perez -- or Antunez as he's affectionately known -- let his voice be heard Monday about his native Cuba and the Castro regime that is running it at Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen's Miami office.
"We have to destabilize the Castro regime," said Antunez. "We have to create an environment of protest and tension."
After spending 17 years in prison for speaking his mind, this was the first trip to America for Antunez and his wife.
"He's a symbol of the next generation of Cuban leaders who are unafraid and will not bow down before the regime," said Ros-Lehtinen.
But Antunez had more than just criticism for the Castros. He also took a hardline view against President Obama for lifting travel restrictions to the island.
"The problem is the American government has no interest in Cuba," said Antunez.
Antunez also criticized Obama for shaking hands with Cuban President Raul Castro.
"Obama didn't have to shake Raul's hand for me to have a bad impression of Obama," said Antunez. "My impression of Obama is he's a leftist."
He even took a shot at Obamacare.
"If it comes from Obama, then it can't be a good plan," Antunez said.
Antunez has been in America since August and this was his last scheduled press conference before returning to Cuba on Tuesday to continue his fight there.