Cuban influencer and host Alexander Otaola has publicly praised Miami-Dade County's decision to withdraw business licenses from enterprises suspected of having ties with the Cuban regime. This initiative, recently announced by the area's tax collector, Dariel Fernández, has garnered significant attention.
Otaola took to Facebook, where he voiced his approval of the move with a succinct message: “Great job, Dariel Fernández. This is the way to do it. Let’s keep going!”
Otaola’s reaction is not unexpected. His political agenda has long been centered on opposing any economic activities that might benefit the Havana regime. He even ran for Miami-Dade Mayor with a focus on tightening measures against businesses and individuals in South Florida who maintain commercial relationships with Cuba.
Meanwhile, Fernández has taken further steps to enforce sanctions on commercial activities linked to the Cuban government by canceling licenses for 20 businesses that failed to prove federal authorization to operate with the island.
Revocation Process and Impact
According to Telemundo 51, Fernández’s office initiated a large-scale review after identifying potential breaches of federal laws governing trade with Cuba. As part of this process, 75 companies received notifications requesting documentation of permits from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and/or the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Out of these, 48 businesses successfully demonstrated compliance, ruling out any illegal commercial ties with Cuba.
Businesses that did not respond received a second warning on November 25, 2025, indicating that a lack of response would be presumed as legal non-compliance. Following the deadline, authorities proceeded to revoke the Local Business Tax, effectively barring these entities from legally operating in Miami-Dade.
Businesses Affected by the Decision
The companies impacted include travel agencies, shipping services, logistics, and multi-service providers, several of which have multiple locations in the county. The revocation, effective immediately, also includes additional penalties for those who continue operations without a valid license.
Effective immediately, the following businesses are no longer authorized to operate in the county:
- Havana Sky Travel Inc. (2 locations)
- AMZ Immigration and Multi-Services Corp.
- Global Cargo Corp
- Globi Multiservices Inc., operating as Globi Envios
- Managua Travel Agency Inc., operating as Cuba Travel & Services
- BM Envios Cargo Corp
- R & R Logistics Customer Freight Solutions LLC
- Leafy Holidays Inc
- JM Services LLC
- Yumury Envios & Travel LLC (2 locations)
- Lucero Services Corp
- OMD Multiservices LLC, operating as Martinair Travel
- JC Montoya Services Inc
- Latin Logistics LLC, operating as Avianca Express
- Capote Express Inc
- Pocho Express LLC
- Xcellence Travel Inc
- Via Blanca Multiservice Inc.
- Tu Cuba Multiservices Corp
- Xael Charters Inc. (2 locations)
Firm Stance Against Economic Ties
Fernández emphasized that the action is supported by state and local laws, which empower the county to deny or cancel licenses for any entity maintaining commercial relations with Cuba in violation of federal law.
“Miami-Dade will not be used as a platform to fund or support the Cuban regime,” stated Fernández, highlighting his personal experience as a Cuban immigrant as a driving force behind his dedication to strict legal compliance.
The tax collector indicated that investigations are ongoing, and more businesses could face similar actions in the coming weeks. “This is merely the beginning of a process that will be conducted with determination and full respect for the rule of law,” he concluded.
In September, Fernández had already issued a stern warning to companies attempting to conduct business with the Cuban regime, asserting that he would not allow them to profit at the expense of the island’s people.
At that time, he reminded that Florida law is explicit, stating that any company linked with Havana can lose its local licenses and be forced to cease operations in the county.
As a voice of the exile community, Fernández, who describes himself as a “Cuban immigrant who intimately knows the pain and suffering inflicted by this dictatorship,” has repeatedly pledged to do everything possible to ensure that “no business benefiting from the pain of the Cuban people operates in Miami-Dade.”
With this declaration, South Florida's local policy aligns with the demands of the exile community, which calls for decisive action against those facilitating resources to the regime during a time of economic and social crisis on the island.
Key Questions on Miami-Dade's License Revocation
Why did Miami-Dade County revoke business licenses?
The county revoked licenses for businesses suspected of violating federal laws by maintaining ties with the Cuban regime.
What actions did Dariel Fernández take?
Dariel Fernández initiated a large-scale review, leading to the revocation of licenses for businesses that could not prove federal authorization to operate with Cuba.
How has the exile community reacted to these actions?
The exile community supports these actions, as they align with demands for strict measures against those facilitating resources to the Cuban regime.