MIAMI, FL—A Cuban delegation toured TSA facilities at Miami International Airport on Cuban Independence Day, allegedly without the knowledge of the city government, promptly causing outcries of security fears, questions of who sanctioned the tour, and anger at Joe Biden.
"As the son of a Cuban political prisoner, it's offensive that the federal [TSA] would have Cuban officials tour security protocols at Miami International Airport," said Miami's Chief of Public Safety James Reyes in a statement. "The shocking move, on the day Cubans celebrate Cuban Independence Day, must never happen again."
His anger was echoed by Democratic Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who stressed that she was also "shocked" and had no clue how this decision was made, demanding the Department of Homeland Security respond to what she sees as a mounting security threat from the authoritarian nation.
https://x.com/RepCarlos/status/1792933799409385524
Republicans, meanwhile, also condemned the TSA tour—though they seized the opportunity to blame President Joe Biden.
"You represent the people of Miami-Dade County—not the Democrat Party," Congressman Carlos Gimenez wrote on X, responding to Mayor Levine Cava's statement. "Your lame excuse demonstrates who you always put first. Put the blame where it belongs: the Biden Administration. Their actions clearly insult a large percentage of our community."
GOP Chairman Evan Power agreed, writing on X that, "Joe Biden spit in the face of our Cuban community by having this tour on Cuban Independence Day. Beyond that why are we giving dictators access to our secure security areas?"
The widespread outrage—and overall confusion at how this situation happened—is rooted in the communist charter governing Cuba.
Run by Miguel Diaz-Canel, who took over from the oppressive Castro brothers, the Cuban government is authoritarian in nature and bans political opposition. The AP reports that income ranges from $16-$23 per month, while inflation runs rampant: two pounds of powdered milk can cost $8.
Furthermore, recent reports show that China—run by its Communist Party—has had a spy base on Cuba since 2019—leading to further fear that showing Cuban representatives one of the nation's most popular airport security systems will pose an even greater threat to American safety.
At the time of this story, the TSA nor Mayor Levine Cava could be reached for comment.
