A Cuban man residing beneath a bridge in Homestead, located in Miami-Dade, asserts that he is a relative of a prominent Cuban military figure. This man, named Alberto Tamayo, says he is related to none other than Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, the first Latin American cosmonaut. Alberto arrived from Cuba in 1980 during the Mariel boatlift and now finds himself completely alone and grappling with apparent mental health issues.
His story gained attention through a video shared on TikTok by a user known as Conducta, who sought assistance in locating Alberto’s family. "He suffers from epilepsy and showed us how he manages his seizures. He claims to be related to cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, although this has not been verified. His family is from Guantánamo, and he has been out of touch with them for decades," Conducta explained. "We shared this video so people know he is alive and healthy," he added.
Despite speaking in a manner that is often incoherent and difficult to understand, Alberto expressed pride in his alleged connection to the Cuban pilot, referring to him as "the first cosmonaut, the only one in Latin America." He also declared that he cannot return to Cuba because he killed the chief of his neighborhood's sector, who was named Jorge Vázquez.
"He was killing horses and cows and kept following me. That's why they kicked me out when I stabbed and killed him. They put me on a bus and sent me to that thing in Peru, from Guantánamo, and here I am. I cannot enter Cuba because I've been deported since 1980. I wish I could go back," Alberto recounted.
Insights into the Homestead Bridge Resident's Claims
Who is Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez?
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez is celebrated as the first Latin American cosmonaut who ventured into space, marking a significant milestone in the history of Latin American space exploration.
How did Alberto Tamayo end up in the United States?
Alberto Tamayo arrived in the United States from Cuba during the Mariel boatlift in 1980, a mass emigration of Cubans who departed from Mariel Harbor for Florida.
What circumstances led to his deportation from Cuba?
Alberto Tamayo claims he was deported from Cuba after a violent incident in which he allegedly killed the chief of his neighborhood's sector, an act that resulted in his expulsion from the country.