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The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed this Saturday that the city of Miami is preparing for a potential scenario of mass celebrations in the streets of South Florida due to the possibility of a political change in Cuba.
Authorities already have security protocols in place to respond to a massive gathering at the house of the Cuban exile community, which typically manifests on Calle Ocho, specifically at the famous corner of Restaurant Versailles, reported Telemundo 51.
In an exclusive interview, the Chief of Police of Miami, Manuel Morales, explained that the department has developed a plan based on previous experiences from large public gatherings related to events on the island.
"If Cuba is in the street, Miami is too," stated Morales, citing the sentiment that, according to authorities and community leaders, prevails among the exiles living in the southern part of the state.
Similar scenarios occurred following the death of Fidel Castro and during the protests on July 11, 2021, when thousands of people took to the streets to demonstrate and celebrate in various locations across Miami.
The police chief emphasized that the main objective is to allow for free expression while preventing disturbances, road blockages, and confrontations.
"This is the place of the Cuban exile. We hope that everyone celebrates in a healthy and safe manner. We already have a plan that has been used in other large-scale events," they assured.
Morales announced that one of the first measures will be to strengthen the presence of officers on the streets. “The first thing we are going to do is increase the number of officers because we expect gigantic celebrations,” he explained.
The police chief also revealed that he has received recent threats, allegedly spread through a YouTube channel identified as Guerrero Cubano.
"We received another recording from the individual, still unidentified, whom we believe is linked to the Department of Security and the Revolutionary Police. The case is part of the investigation," he indicated.
Morales took the opportunity to send a message to the security officials of the Cuban regime in light of a potential moment of change on the island. "Act before it's too late. The end is coming, the government will fall. The people of Cuba need you; act for their well-being. History will remember your names and your actions," he declared.
From exile organizations, there has also been a call for civic preparedness. The activist Ramón Saúl Sánchez, from the Democracy Movement, emphasized the importance of being ready to assist the Cuban people in a potential transition process.
“At some point, the collapse of that regime will come, and we must be prepared to help the people of Cuba immediately on their path toward democracy,” he stated.
Local authorities reiterate that, for now, there is no confirmation of changes on the island, but they urge the community to remain calm, respect the laws, and express themselves peacefully.
Miami, regarded as the epicenter of the Cuban exile community, remains alert to developments just 90 miles from Cuba after the Donald Trump administration increased pressure to achieve political change on the island.
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