Lafayette man wants to connect Louisiana more to Cuba | Business

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The face of Lafayette Parish is changing.

Over the past decade, the Latino population — including Cuban immigrants — has grown significantly in the Louisiana, rising 67% in the state and nearly doubling in Lafayette Parish between the 2020 U.S. Census and in 2010.

Those identifying as Cuban now total over 15,000 in Louisiana, including just under 1,000 in Lafayette Parish, according to 2023 American Community Survey estimates.

The immigrants have brought their vibrant traditions and an entrepreneurial spirit to the area. Louisiana, with its historical ties to global migration and its proximity to Latin America, has become a unique haven for Latinos pursuing their version of the American dream.

Cuban migrant Fernando Perez-Viart, who arrived in 2015, noted his journey has been about more than personal success. It’s been about cultivating resources for others and preserving the essence of Cuban culture in his adopted home.

He was an established primary health care physician in Cuba but aspired to do the same in the U.S. It was not long before he encountered obstacles and searched for guidance, which in its own had limitations.

In Lafayette, he discovered the need was not a doctor but resources and support for the Latino community.

He and others created Louisiana’s Cuban Club, a group that promotes the social-cultural values of Cuban immigrants in Louisiana and “ensures unity, welfare and prosperity of Cuban families.”

What might have been nearly impossible 20 years ago is now a thriving and evolving society that has brought to light cultural diversity within Lafayette. It helped create The Latin Music Festival, which is held every October.

The club also promotes Cuba “as a travel destination and business opportunity.” Perez-Viart, the club’s president, works to fulfill its mission statement and serves as marketing director and sales agent at Cuban American Transportation Services, which provides shipping services to Cuba as a package forwarding company and has an office in north Lafayette.

In June, CATS completed an inaugural trip between Morgan City and Havana to open the only line of commerce with Cuba outside of Florida. The vision for CATS, he said, is to offer a more affordable alternative to Florida-based services for transporting goods on a national scale.

For Louisiana, this new commerce line holds economic promise for the area. It will increase the need for workers in Morgan City for both boat and agricultural labor, he said.

As CATS gains recognition in Louisiana, agriculture revenue is expected to rise alongside it, with Louisiana estimated to receive $300-$400 million in revenue through expanded local and national transportation, he said.

The Cuban Club is also advocating for direct international flights between New Orleans and Cuba along with a study abroad program between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Cuba.

“For years [Spain] sold it the best,” Perez-Viart said. “Now we need to promote our country, our culture.”

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