Dariel Fernández, the Miami-Dade County tax collector, raised alarm on Monday about the misuse of trade licenses linked to operations with the Cuban government. He announced plans to inform President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the national security risks he claims threaten South Florida's community.
In a post on the social media platform X, Fernández elaborated that his office had received two letters on January 13, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Commerce. These letters confirmed the revocation of federal licenses used for exports to Cuba.
"Upon receiving two revocation letters from the Department of Commerce, we will notify President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to fully inform them of the national security risks facing Miami-Dade County. This issue involves businesses associated with the Cuban communist and socialist dictatorship," the official stated.
The letters, issued by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), identified irregularities in licenses D1325305 and D1331933, both officially revoked for non-compliance with their conditions.
According to documents shared by Fernández, the companies involved are Katapulk Marketplace LLC, owned by entrepreneur Hugo Cancio, and Maravana Cargo Inc., headed by Alejandro Martínez Pardo, both based in Miami.
For Katapulk Marketplace LLC, license D1325305 permitted the export of hybrid and gasoline vehicles to Cuba under humanitarian use parameters. The Bureau of Industry and Security revoked the permission after discovering violations of the established export conditions. The document, dated June 4, 2025, explicitly states that the license is terminated effective immediately.
Regarding Maravana Cargo Inc., which specializes in shipping goods and vehicles to the Island, license D1331933 was revoked on November 3, 2025, after the company exceeded the permitted number of cars and motorcycles.
Fernández, who took office as Miami-Dade tax collector in 2025, affirmed that his office has worked for months to identify irregular activities in the use of federal licenses related to Cuba. This effort is part of a compliance and transparency initiative.
"These federal actions come months after our office began control efforts to protect residents and strengthen law enforcement. We will continue to prioritize people and defend our community with honesty, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law," Fernández declared.
The revocations indicate a tightening of control over trade operations with the Island, amid increasing scrutiny by federal authorities of U.S. or Cuban-American companies with economic ties to Cuban state entities.
Fernández added that his office will send a formal report to the White House and the Department of State to keep top federal authorities informed about the findings and potential national security implications.
"We will defend our community with truth, transparency, and respect for the law," he concluded.
In a related development, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis recently published a letter addressed to President Donald Trump, requesting the suspension of all federal licenses and authorizations related to Cuba to prevent the communist regime from benefiting from U.S. funds or services.
Previously, the City of Miami Commission unanimously approved the establishment of a specialized task force to investigate and oversee commercial licenses of companies that might have financial, administrative, or operational ties with the Cuban regime.
Similarly, Dariel Fernández had urged federal authorities to investigate a locally connected company that he claimed "might be involved in financial agreements" benefiting the Cuban government.
Key Questions About Trade Licenses and National Security Risks
What prompted the Miami-Dade tax collector to alert federal authorities?
The Miami-Dade tax collector alerted federal authorities after identifying irregularities in trade licenses linked to operations with the Cuban government, which he believes pose national security risks.
Which companies were involved in the license revocations?
The companies involved were Katapulk Marketplace LLC, owned by Hugo Cancio, and Maravana Cargo Inc., led by Alejandro Martínez Pardo, both based in Miami.
What actions are being taken to address the issue?
Alongside alerting federal authorities, a report will be sent to the White House and the Department of State. Additionally, a specialized task force has been approved to investigate companies with potential ties to the Cuban regime.