On Monday, social media users voiced their outrage over the display of a photograph featuring singer Omara Portuondo at Miami Airport, prompting its removal within hours amid the controversy. Journalist Ninoska Pérez Castellón shared on Facebook that the image was taken down from the Miami airport terminal, stating it "never should have been there." She also expressed gratitude towards Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, emphasizing, "In this community, there is no room for hatred or for promoting artists who have opposed the exile and exploited the suffering of the Cuban people for personal gain."
Previously, Pérez highlighted that Miami is home to a large number of individuals affected by the Cuban dictatorship. She noted that the photograph of Omara Portuondo, placed at Miami Airport—a significant landmark for Cuban exiles—sparked considerable outrage. Pérez described the singer as a "miserable woman" for her support of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, recalling Portuondo's endorsement of a letter that sanctioned the execution of young Cubans in 2003. The image, showing the artist holding a Latin Grammy, was perceived as a provocation to those who have endured the regime's oppression.
Pérez directed her criticism towards Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and local commissioners, demanding answers on how such an offensive gesture to the Cuban-American community was allowed. On social media platform X, she remarked, "There is no respect for the victims, this regime's assassin in Miami Airport. This is what the Latin Grammys are for."
Community Reaction and SupportJoel Rodríguez Riverón expressed his appreciation on Facebook for journalists Nelson Rubio and Ninoska Pérez Castellón, as well as Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, for amplifying the complaint and contacting airport management. On X, Joel Gato commented, "Arriving at Miami Airport and seeing the image of this woman holding a Grammy stained with blood makes you want to vomit."
Recently, Omara Portuondo celebrated her 94th birthday in Havana, surrounded by friends and admirers who paid tribute to her. In light of her birthday, Portuondo shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing gratitude for the well-wishes and dismissing any rumors about her permanent retirement from music. "I take this opportunity to clarify that I will no longer perform long live concerts because I get tired, which is natural at my age. But I want to make it clear that I am not retiring from music. I will continue with my recordings and other activities as my age and health permit," Portuondo wrote on her Facebook page.
Just days earlier, Portuondo was carried off stage at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, Spain, by two members of the Orquesta Failde after appearing disoriented from the start of her concert.