Jean Carlo Rojas, a 28-year-old, was taken into custody this past Friday on charges of vandalizing the Bay of Pigs monument located in Maximo Gomez Park in Little Havana, Miami, as reported by Univision 23.
The incident was captured on city surveillance cameras on the night of July 25, showing Rojas climbing onto the gray missile of the monument and repeatedly jumping on it until it broke.
This particular piece had already been repaired after a previous act of vandalism, marking this as at least the second attack on the same part of the memorial.
A detective analyzed the footage, identifying the suspect by his clothing and tattoos, and found him walking a short distance from the monument four days after the incident.
Authorities have assessed the damages to be around $1,000.
Rojas is facing charges of criminal mischief to a memorial or historic property, a felony under Florida law. During his initial court appearance, the judge decided to hold him without immediate bond, and he remains in custody at Miami's TGK jail.
The accused has a history: in 2025, he faced charges of aggravated assault and resisting an officer, and at the time of the new incident, he was out on bail for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer.
A Miami Police spokesperson emphasized the effort put into resolving the case: "Seeing someone cause harm to that, we as police take it personally and were able to make this arrest."
Authorities also highlighted the role of technology in the capture: "We have license plate readers, cameras at intersections, drones; we now have a level of technology to combat crime that has been quite helpful."
The monument pays tribute to the members of Brigade 2506, Cuban exiles who, with CIA support, participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion in April 1961 with the aim of overthrowing Fidel Castro's regime.
It was unveiled on April 17, 1971, exactly ten years after the invasion, and is part of the Cuban Memorial Boulevard in the heart of Calle Ocho.
The vandalism has sparked outrage among the Cuban-American community. "It's like breaking something that holds deep value for us Cubans. I can't fathom how someone could do that," expressed a local resident.
Another resident was equally emphatic: "It breaks your heart to see someone come and do such madness. It's unacceptable, it's painful."
This incident comes just months after the 65th anniversary of the invasion, which saw the opening of a newly renovated 11,000-square-foot museum of the Brigade 2506 in Little Havana, with a five million dollar investment, and only three years after an additional monument was inaugurated in Miami on the 62nd anniversary of the invasion.
In May 2026, Brigade 2506 supported the U.S. Department of Justice's federal indictment against Raul Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, declaring that prosecuting Raul Castro was "only the first step" in the quest for justice.
Key Questions About the Bay of Pigs Monument Vandalism
What charges does Jean Carlo Rojas face?
Jean Carlo Rojas is charged with criminal mischief to a memorial or historic property, which is a felony under Florida law.
How did the authorities identify the suspect?
Authorities identified Rojas through surveillance footage, noting his clothing and tattoos, and located him near the monument days after the incident.
What is the significance of the Bay of Pigs monument?
The monument honors Brigade 2506, Cuban exiles who attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime with the support of the CIA during the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.