Image of Omara Portuondo removed from Miami airport after criticism

A photo of Omara Portuondo was removed from Miami airport following criticism for her support of the Cuban regime. Users and journalists denounced the image, deeming it offensive to the exiled community.

Retiran fotografía de Omara Portuondo del aeropuerto de Miami © Collage Facebook / Joel Rodriguez Riveron y Art by Ninoska
Photo of Omara Portuondo removed from Miami airport.Photo © Collage Facebook / Joel Rodriguez Riveron and Art by Ninoska

Several users reported on social media this Monday the posting of a photograph of singer Omara Portuondo at Miami Airport, which was removed within a few hours due to the controversy.

Journalist Ninoska Pérez Castellón reported on Facebook that the photograph was removed from the Miami airport terminal, "where it never should have been."

Facebook Capture / Art by Ninoska

Additionally, he thanked Commissioner Kevin Cabrera and stated, “In this community, there is no place for hate or for promoting artists who have been against exile and have exploited the suffering of the Cuban people for their personal gain.”

In a previous post, the journalist explained that Miami "is the city with the highest number of victims of the Cuban dictatorship."

Facebook Capture / Art by Ninoska

According to Pérez, a photograph of Omara Portuondo was displayed at Miami Airport, a landmark for Cuban exiles, which sparked significant outrage.

The journalist described the singer as a "miserable woman" for her support of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, also noting that Portuondo was one of the signatories of the letter that approved the execution of young Cubans in 2003.

The image, in which the artist holds a Latin Grammy, was seen as a provocation to those who have suffered the consequences of the regime.

Pérez directed her criticisms at Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the local commissioners, demanding explanations on how such a gesture, which she claims deeply offends the Cuban-American community, was allowed.

On the social media platform X, Pérez remarked that "there is no respect for the victims, this hitwoman of the Castro regime at Miami airport. This is what the Latin Grammys are for."

Joel Rodríguez Riverón expressed his gratitude on Facebook to journalists Nelson Rubio and Ninoska Pérez Castellón, as well as Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, "who echoed the complaint and reached out to the airport administration."

Facebook Capture / Joel Rodríguez Riverón

Joel Gato, on the social network X, remarked: "Arriving at Miami airport and seeing the image of this lady holding a Grammy stained with blood makes you want to vomit."

In October, Omara Portuondo celebrated her 94th birthday in Havana, surrounded by friends and admirers who paid tribute to her.

On the occasion of her anniversary, Portuondo shared an emotional message on social media to thank everyone for their congratulations and took the opportunity to dispel any rumors about her retirement from music.

"I take this opportunity to clarify that I will no longer perform long live concerts because it exhausts me, which is natural due to my age. However, I want to make it clear that I am not retiring from music. I will continue with my recordings and other activities, as my age and health allow," Portuondo wrote on her Facebook account.

Days earlier, Portuoendo was taken off the stage at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, Spain, carried in the arms of two members of the Failde Orchestra after appearing disoriented from the very beginning of her concert performance.

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