All eyes are on Cuba as President Barack Obama became the first sitting American president to touch down in the country in almost nine decades.

President Obama's trip has produced mixed reactions from Cuban-Americans in Connecticut.

Lily Rodriguez, of the Cuban Lyceum of Bridgeport, told News 12 that she is overjoyed by President Obama's visit to her native country and optimistic for the future there.

Enrique Torres said the trip does not mean freedom for the Cuban people. Torres was born to Cuban immigrants and moved back to his parent's country when he was a year old. The former Bridgeport city councilman said he returned to Cuba for a visit in 1991 and vowed never to go back.

Torres believes President Obama's trip will not make any difference to the country.

"The people themselves will see absolutely no change whatsoever because the system is built on oppression and taking advantage of folks rather than liberating them," said Torres.

In a joint news conference with Cuban President Raul Castro Monday, President Obama said his visit is proof of newfound respect between the two countries but acknowledged there are challenges.

"After more than five very difficult decades, the relationship between our governments will not be transformed overnight. We continue, as President Castro indicated, to have some very serious differences including on democracy and human rights," said President Obama.