Related videos:
Following a request from the company Cubamax to expand its offices, Hialeah unanimously approved a resolution that will prevent businesses linked to the Cuban regime from obtaining benefits in the city.
On Tuesday, Hialeah councilman Bryan Calvo stated that "these businesses will not be given the opportunity to grow and receive concessions from the city of Hialeah," Telemundo 51 reported.
Mayor Esteban Bovo stated that "as a city and as a government, we will not engage in any business with entities that are profiting from the suffering of the Cuban people."
"I’m clear that the people have their families in Cuba and want to help their relatives. I would never raise my voice against that, but feeding the government to continue the repression seems to me like a futile proposal," he added.
The controversy began with a request from CUBAMAX – a travel agency and money transfer service to Cuba – to expand its operations, after which the local government approved a resolution to prevent any business with ties to the Cuban government from receiving concessions from the city.
Calvo expressed concern about the Cuban intervention in South Florida: "For me, it is more than evident that this company CUBAMAX, which has strong ties to the Cuban government, wants to expand here in the city of Hialeah. We need to be very firm," he argued.
While the city does not have a specific list of individuals or businesses connected to the Cuban regime, officials assert that they have the necessary resources to identify them.
"Obviously, there is a history; this is another step that needs improvement," commented Bovo.
Calvo emphasized the importance of having a stricter program to review and regulate these businesses, highlighting that it is a responsibility of the government.
Filed under: