Fidel Castro's rise to power altered the life of many families, including that of Armando Payas. Payas had to flee his homeland because of it.
- Payas left Cuba in 1962
- Payas and his sons now own Orlando law firm
- Payas also teaches at Barry University School of Law
"When I came to the U.S. in 1962 I could not say a word in English," he said.
Fast forward to 2016 in Orlando, where colleagues honored Payas for his leadership in law and teaching.
Now Payas and his sons own the law firm Payas, Payas & Payas in Orlando. He's been a professor at Barry University School of Law since 2005.
"He helped deepen my roots and my culture in the language of Cervantes and other authors," said Jose Ramon Rodriguez, one of Payas' undergrad students.
Payas actually had to take the Florida bar exam three times before he passed. Despite all the sacrifices, today he is considered a pioneer among Hispanic lawyers in Central Florida.
For Payas, the death of Castro doesn't change much. It does, however, reinforce his desire to achieve.
"I don't [think we're] going to see any changes even if Raul dies,” he said. “There won't be too many changes in Cuba because it's not the individual, but the system."
Payas has not been back to Cuba since he left, and only plans to return if communism on the island comes to an end.
"I will wait until Cuba is completely free," he said.