MIAMI , Florida ( CNN ) -- Sen. Barack Obama told Florida 's Cuban-American community Friday that his Cuba policy would be based on `` libertad '' and freedom for the island nation 's people . Sen. Barack Obama speaks at a Cuban Independence Day event in Miami , Florida , on Friday . `` My policy toward Cuba will be guided by one word : 'libertad , ' `` he said , using the Spanish word for liberty at an event celebrating Cuban Independence Day in Miami , Florida . `` The road to freedom for all Cubans must begin with justice for Cuba 's political prisoners , the right of free speech , a free press , freedom of assembly , and it must lead to elections that are free and fair , '' Obama said . `` That is my commitment . `` I wo n't stand for this injustice ; you will not stand for this injustice , and together we will stand up for freedom in Cuba . That will be my commitment as president of the United States of America , '' he said . Watch Obama call for freedom in Cuba » . Obama also said the policy for Cuba and the rest of Latin America would be guided by `` the simple principle that what 's good for the people of the Americas is good for the United States . '' `` After eight years of the failed policies of the past , we need new leadership for the future , '' he said . `` After decades of pressing for top-down reform , we need an agenda that advances democracy , security and opportunity from the bottom up . '' Obama called for looser restrictions on travel to Cuba so Cuban-Americans can visit family members relatives as well as allowing larger money transfers to the island , two positions that are popular within the Cuban-American community . Obama , however , may lose votes among Cuban-Americans if they think he is willing to talk with Raúl Castro , the president of Cuba who recently took over leadership of the island nation from his brother , Fidel Castro . Speaking in Miami on Tuesday , Sen. John McCain , the presumptive Republican presidential nominee , blasted Obama for changing his positions on normalization with Cuba and for wanting to `` sit down unconditionally for a presidential meeting with Raúl Castro . '' `` These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba 's dictators : There is no need to undertake fundamental reforms ; they can simply wait for a unilateral change in U.S. policy , '' McCain said . `` I believe we should give hope to the Cuban people , not to the Castro regime . Watch McCain blast Obama 's position on Cuba » . `` My administration will press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally , to legalize all political parties , labor unions and free media , and to schedule internationally monitored elections . The embargo must stay in place until these basic elements of democratic society are met , '' McCain said . But Obama said McCain had misrepresented his position . `` John McCain 's been going around the country talking about how much I want to meet with Raúl Castro , as if I 'm looking for a social gathering ; I 'm going to invite him over and have some tea . That 's not what I said , [ and ] John McCain knows it , '' he said . Obama also faulted McCain for pursuing what he called the failed Cuba polices of President Bush . `` Now , I know what the easy thing is to do for American politicians . Every four years , they come down to Miami , they talk tough , they go back to Washington , and nothing changes in Cuba . That 's what John McCain did the other day , '' Obama said . `` He joined the parade of politicians who make the same empty promises year after year , decade after decade . `` Instead of offering a strategy for change , he chose to distort my position and embrace George Bush 's and continue a policy that 's done nothing to advance freedom for the Cuban people . That 's the political posture that John McCain has chosen , and all it shows is that you ca n't take his so-called straight talk seriously . '' Republicans have been able to count on the support of southern Florida 's Cuban American community by maintaining a no-compromise stance against Cuba 's Communist regime . And with a 70 percent turnout rate , Cuban-Americans have been a powerful force in Florida and thus , because of Florida 's role as a swing state , national politics . Watch how Obama is wooing Cuban Americans » . Younger Cuban-Americans , however , are beginning to question their community 's alliance with the GOP . `` In reality , all they give to Cuban-Americans is lip service , and I think Cuban-Americans of my generation , Cuban-Americans of previous generations , are tired of the lip service , '' said Giancarlo Sopo , who is backing Obama . But despite Democratic efforts to reach out to Cuban Americans , `` the reality is , there is no change , '' says Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart , a Republican who has represented his South Florida district for eight terms . Obama , Diaz-Balart said , may even help Republicans unite Cuban-Americans behind the GOP banner once again . `` This community is steadfast . It 's solid . It understands the value of freedom , '' Diaz-Balart said .
NEW : Sen. Obama says Cuba policy will be based on liberty for Cuban people . NEW : Democratic front-runner accuses Sen. McCain of distorting position . Obama calls for looser restrictions on travel , fund transfers to Cuba . McCain argues for continuation of hard line policy against communist regime .