The identities of the Cuban officials who allegedly accessed restricted areas of the Miami International Airport (MIA) have been finally revealed. Among the implicated individuals is Carlos Radamés Pérez Andino, Vice President of the Institute of Civil Aeronautics of Cuba, along with four other high-ranking Cuban officials.
Martí Noticias consulted a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, where the Cuban government requested diplomatic visas for Pérez Andino and his entourage. These officials toured security and baggage areas not accessible to the general public at MIA. Ralph Cutié, Director of the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department, confirmed this information.
The purpose of the visit, according to the MINREX document, was to participate in a working meeting with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States. The Cuban officials traveled to the U.S. on March 3, 2024, entering through John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Washington Dulles Airport. The trip expenses were covered by the Cuban government.
Besides Pérez Andino, the delegation included Nestar María Rojas Álvarez, Lorenzo de la Rosa Garcés, Jossue Puigvert García, and Benedicto Nelson Gutiérrez Acosta, all holding A2 diplomatic visas. The delegation represented various entities, including the Cuban Aviation Corporation and the General Customs of the Republic of Cuba.
The visit has sparked criticism in South Florida. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava issued a statement expressing her surprise upon learning of the Cubans' presence in strategic facilities of the city, managed by her office. Senator Rick Scott and Congressmen Mario Díaz-Balart, Marco Rubio, and Carlos A. Giménez, the latter being the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, expressed their astonishment at the Biden Administration's decision to grant these individuals access to such areas, labeling the Cuban regime as a sponsor of terrorism.
A TSA spokesperson explained that the visit aimed to showcase the agency's security operations and best practices in civil aviation security. The Cuban officials were taken to a terminal featuring the most advanced technology, an area that requires a rigorous background check for access.
The controversy escalated as the visit coincided with Cuba's Independence Day on May 20, intensifying the discontent within the Cuban community in Miami. The official Cuban press has remained silent about this trip. Adding to the usual secrecy, the officials' social media profiles are sparse, and their positions in state institutions remain unverified.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Officials' Visit to Miami Airport
Given the sensitive nature of the visit of Cuban officials to restricted areas of Miami International Airport, many questions have arisen. Here we've compiled some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide clarity on the issue.
Why were Cuban officials allowed into restricted areas of MIA?
The visit was intended for Cuban officials to participate in a working meeting with the TSA to observe security operations and best practices in civil aviation security.
Who was part of the Cuban delegation?
The delegation included Carlos Radamés Pérez Andino, Nestar María Rojas Álvarez, Lorenzo de la Rosa Garcés, Jossue Puigvert García, and Benedicto Nelson Gutiérrez Acosta, all holding A2 diplomatic visas.
What has been the reaction to this visit in South Florida?
The visit has generated significant criticism from local politicians and the Cuban community in Miami, particularly due to the timing on Cuba's Independence Day and concerns over security and diplomatic implications.