Miami, FL
Cuban government delegation tour of secure areas at Miami airport draws ire of county leaders
MIAMI – A tour by a Cuban government delegation of secure areas at Miami International Airport, hosted by the Transportation Security Administration, has drawn outrage from county leaders.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the county’s Chief of Public Safety James Reyes said they were caught off guard by the visit on May 20th.
“The decision to allow Cuban officials to tour secure areas at MIA was made without the knowledge of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) and took place on Cuban Independence Day – a day that we reaffirm our commitment to freedom and democracy in Cuba in the face of a brutal dictatorship,” Cava said in a statement.
The mayor said her office contacted the Department of Homeland Security to understand how this decision was made. She said the county also requested to be kept in the loop about any future decisions on allowing foreign government officials access to the airport’s facilities.
“As the son of a Cuban political prisoner, it’s offensive that the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agency would have Cuban officials tour security protocols at Miami International Airport. This decision was done unilaterally by TSA and without any knowledge of County officials. The shocking move, on the day Cubans celebrate Cuban Independence Day, must never happen again,” said Reues in a statement.
County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera released a statement, calling the decision to allow Cuban officials to tour secure areas of the airport “an unbelievably reckless act.”
“The fact that this occurred on “20 de mayo”-the 122nd anniversary of Cuba’s independence-is particularly painful. (sic) and adds insult to injury for our community,” according to the statement
The commissioner noted that CBS News “60 Minutes” recently aired a story highlighting how espionage and the selling of secrets are among Cuba’s main exports, noting that despite the capture of two high-ranking Cuban spies, Cuba’s network is likely still active within the US government.
MIAMI — Christian Martinez was at the Metrowest Detention Center on Monday, facing charges for stealing three gold bracelets, a gold chain, a pair of shoes, and $100 at gunpoint after a crash in Miami, records show.
Martinez, who turns 30 on Wednesday, was driving his gray Honda Odyssey when he crashed in the Liberty City neighborhood, threatened two victims, and “displayed a silver handgun that was tucked in his waistband,” according to the police report.
While demanding cash, Martinez, of Allapattah, grabbed the gun and pointed it at the victim’s rib cage before also using the firearm to strike him “across the face,” according to the police report.
One of the victims escaped, and the other was injured during the armed robbery shortly after 4:10 a.m. on June 28 at Northwest Seventh Avenue and 52 Street, according to the police report.
“I obtained CCTV footage that captured the entirety of the robbery,” a Miami detective wrote, according to the police report.
Surveillance video shows Martinez at the Shell gas station at 5343 NW 7th Ave., before the armed robbery on June 28, and license plate readers show him “traveling northbound through the intersection of Northwest Second Avenue and 54 Street at 4:15 a.m., according to police.
Martinez’s face “can be clearly seen in this video,” a police officer wrote about the surveillance at the gas station, according to the police report.
Miami police officers arrested Martinez at 7 p.m. on July 2 at Northwest Sixth Avenue and 69 Street, and found a firearm in the car, according to the police report.
Corrections booked Martinez, also known as Christian Martinezguerra, shortly before 10:05 p.m. on July 2 at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Martinez-Guerra faced two felony charges in Miami-Dade County: Armed robbery with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A judge placed a pre-trial detention hold.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Mercedes Cevallos contributed to this report.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Three people are in the hospital after Miramar Police said a shooting and crash left them wounded early Sunday morning.
The department said it unfolded sometime before 6 a.m. along Sunshine Boulevard. Two men and one woman were reportedly shot in a car while heading west on the road. The shooting resulted in a crash.
Officers said they and Miramar Fire Rescue responded immediately, offered aid, and ensured all three victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. As of publication, their conditions are unknown.
Police said investigators have limited information, but are looking for a white BMW that is believed to be involved in the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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