A private company filed a lawsuit against Miami-Dade County after local authorities initiated actions to revoke business licenses from companies accused of maintaining illegal economic ties with the Cuban regime.
The information was confirmed by the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, Dariel Fernández, who publicly defended his office's actions in a post on Facebook.
Fernández stated that his responsibility, as established by Florida state law, is to enforce the current regulations and protect the safety and trust of county residents.
According to the explanation, Florida Statute § 205.0532 empowers local authorities to take action when there are legitimate concerns about businesses operating in connection with the Cuban communist dictatorship, especially if those operations are conducted without the proper federal authorization.
Under this legal framework, the Tax Collector can revoke the Local Business Tax Receipt for companies that do not comply with the law, until they demonstrate full compliance with the applicable regulations.
Fernández confirmed that, although a company chose to take the matter to court, the county's stance will not change. "We will continue to enforce the law firmly, responsibly, and in accordance with established legal and administrative procedures," he stated.
The official emphasized that the priority of their office is to protect the integrity, security, and trust of the Miami-Dade community, reiterating that the actions are not driven by political motives, but by the strict enforcement of state and federal law.
The case could set an important legal precedent for other jurisdictions in Florida, amid increased scrutiny of companies based in the United States that maintain commercial ties with entities controlled by the Cuban regime.
Revoked licenses
Last week, the county took a strong step in the enforcement of sanctions against commercial activities related to the regime, by revoking the licenses of 20 businesses that could not demonstrate federal authorization to operate with the Island.
According to Telemundo 51, the measure was announced by the county tax collector, Dariel Fernández, who explained that his office has initiated a large-scale review after detecting possible violations of federal laws regulating trade with Cuba.
As part of the process, 75 companies were notified and requested to provide documentation proving the permits granted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and/or the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). Of that total, 48 businesses responded satisfactorily, denying any illegal commercial relationship with the Island.
The companies that did not respond received a second warning on November 25, 2025, informing them that failure to respond would be considered an assumption of legal noncompliance. After the deadline passed, the authorities proceeded to revoke the Local Business Tax, leaving those entities unable to operate legally in Miami-Dade.
Among the affected companies are travel agencies, shipping services, logistics, and multi-services, several of which have more than one location in the county. The revocation takes effect immediately and includes additional penalties for those who continue to operate without a valid license.
The media outlet reported that effective immediately, the following businesses do not have approval to operate in the county:
Havana Sky Travel Inc. (2 locations)
AMZ Immigration and Multi-Services Corp.
Global Cargo Corp
Globi Multiservices Inc., operating as Globi Envios
Managua Travel Agency Inc., operating as Cuba Travel & Services
BM Envios Cargo Corp
R & R Logistics Customer Freight Solutions LLC
Leafy Holidays Inc
JM Services LLC
Yumury Envios & Travel LLC (2 locations)
Lucero Services Corp
OMD Multiservices LLC, operating as Martinair Travel
JC Montoya Services Inc
Latin Logistics LLC, operating as Avianca Express
Capote Express Inc
Pocho Express LLC
Xcellence Travel Inc
Via Blanca Multiservice Inc.
Tu Cuba Multiservices Corp
Xael Charters Inc. (2 locations)
Fernández stated that the action is based on state and local legislation, which empowers the county to deny or cancel licenses to any entity that conducts business with Cuba in violation of federal law.
“Miami-Dade will not be used as a platform to finance or support the Cuban regime,” stated the official, who emphasized that his personal experience as a Cuban immigrant strengthens his commitment to strict adherence to the law.
The collector indicated that the investigations are ongoing and that more businesses could face similar measures in the coming weeks. "This is just the beginning of a process that will be conducted with firmness and absolute respect for the rule of law," he concluded.
Warned war...
In the month of September, Fernández had already issued a strong warning to companies trying to do business with the Cuban regime, stating that he would not allow them to profit at the expense of the suffering of the island's people.
At that moment, he recalled that Florida law is clear and states that any company connected to Havana may lose its local licenses and be forced to cease operations in the county.
Voice of Exile
Fernández, who identifies as a "Cuban emigrant who knows firsthand the pain and suffering that this dictatorship has inflicted," has assured on multiple occasions that he will do everything in his power to ensure that "no business that profits from the pain of the Cuban people operates in Miami-Dade".
With this statement, the local policy in South Florida aligns itself with the demands of the exile community, which calls for strong actions against those who provide resources to the regime, at a time of economic and social crisis on the island.
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