Dariel Fernández, the tax collector for Miami-Dade County, has issued a stern warning to businesses contemplating deals with the Cuban regime, emphasizing that profiting at the expense of the Cuban people's suffering will not be tolerated. In an official statement, Fernández highlighted Florida’s stringent laws, which stipulate that any company associated with Havana risks losing its local licenses and could be forced to cease operations within the county.
“We will not allow accomplices of the murderous communist dictatorship to operate freely here,” Fernández declared, pledging swift action against violators. As a Cuban-American who immigrated with his family in the 1990s, he is committed to sending notices to implicated companies and collaborating with local and state authorities to shut down these operations throughout Miami-Dade.
Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar supported Fernández’s statement, urging the State and Treasury Departments to investigate companies allegedly attempting to circumvent sanctions against Cuba. “Every dollar that flows into Havana strengthens the murderous dictators and undermines U.S. policy,” Salazar stated on her X account, warning that the abuse “ends now” and promising tangible consequences for businesses trading with the regime.
Salazar had previously requested federal agencies to scrutinize South Florida companies engaged in tourism, logistics, deliveries to the island, and car sales, suspecting them of financially aiding Havana.
Escalating Pressures Amidst Political Tensions
The statement follows weeks after the State Department cautioned foreign investors that Cuba is “not open for business” but rather rigged to benefit the regime’s cronies. Washington also condemned the Cuban government for corruption, defaults, and market manipulation, while the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a conglomerate run by Cuba’s military elite, maintains tight control over the economy.
In this context, Miami-Dade’s offensive adds to the political and social pressure from the exiled community, which has repeatedly raised concerns that U.S.-based companies might be using intermediaries to bypass sanctions and support the dictatorship.
Exile Community's Voice
Fernández, identifying as a “Cuban emigrant who knows firsthand the pain and suffering inflicted by this dictatorship,” vowed to do everything in his power to ensure that “no business benefiting from the Cuban people's suffering operates in Miami-Dade.” This declaration aligns the local politics of South Florida with the exiled community's demands for decisive actions against those enabling the regime, amid a crisis-stricken economy and society on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions on Miami-Dade's Stance Against the Cuban Regime
What actions is Miami-Dade's tax collector planning against businesses trading with Cuba?
The tax collector, Dariel Fernández, plans to send warnings to the companies involved and work with authorities to shut down operations linked to the Cuban regime within Miami-Dade County.
How are Florida’s laws affecting companies linked to Cuba?
Florida laws clearly state that businesses associated with Havana can lose their local licenses and be forced to close operations within the county.
What is Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar's role in this issue?
Congresswoman Salazar supports the tax collector's actions and has called for investigations into companies suspected of evading sanctions against Cuba, strengthening the U.S. stance against the regime.