A Cuban who lives under a bridge in Homestead, Miami-Dade, claims to be a relative of a well-known Cuban military figure: none other than Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, the first cosmonaut of Latin America.
The elderly man is named Alberto Tamayo; he arrived from Cuba in 1980 during the Mariel exodus and is now completely alone and showing evident mental health issues.
Her story was shared in a video posted on TikTok by the user known as Conducta, who requested help in locating her family.
"He suffers from epilepsy and showed us how he manages his seizures. He claims to be related to the cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, though this is unconfirmed. His family is from Guantánamo, and he hasn't heard from them in decades," said Conducta.
"We share this video so that you all know he is alive and healthy," he added.
With incoherent words and language that was sometimes unintelligible, the elderly man expressed pride in his family connection to the Cuban pilot. "The first cosmonaut, the only one from Latin America," he stated.
He also stated that he cannot return to Cuba because he killed the neighborhood sector chief, named Jorge Vázquez.
"I was killing horses and cows, and it kept following me and following me. That's why they kicked me out when I stabbed him and killed him. They put me on the bus and sent me to Peru from Guantánamo, and here I am. I can't enter Cuba because I've been deported since '80. I wish I could go back," he recounted.
Frequently asked questions about Alberto Tamayo's situation in Miami
Who is Alberto Tamayo and why does he live under a bridge in Miami?
Alberto Tamayo is a Cuban who arrived in the United States in 1980 during the Mariel exodus. He currently lives under a bridge in Homestead, Miami-Dade. He claims to be related to the renowned Cuban military figure and cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, though this has not been confirmed. Additionally, he suffers from epilepsy and has mental health issues, which have complicated his living situation.
What is Alberto Tamayo's relationship to Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez?
Alberto Tamayo claims to be related to Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, the first cosmonaut from Latin America, although this relationship has not been officially confirmed. Despite his claims, no evidence has been found to verify this family connection.
Why can't Alberto Tamayo return to Cuba?
Alberto Tamayo claims that he cannot return to Cuba because he has been deported since 1980, after being involved in an incident in which he killed a local sector chief in his neighborhood. According to him, this event was the reason for his expulsion from the country.
What is the situation of homeless individuals of Cuban origin in Miami?
The situation of homeless Cubans in Miami is critical. Many, like Alberto Tamayo, face mental health issues, social isolation, and lack of resources. Similar stories from other Cubans in Miami reflect a pattern of uprooting and abandonment, with individuals living in extreme conditions after emigrating to the United States in search of a better future.
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