Residents of Doral, one of the cities in South Florida with a significant presence of Cubans and Venezuelans, should prepare for road closures, circulation restrictions, and potential disruptions in school operations during the G20 summit, which will take place on December 14 and 15 at Trump National Doral.
Authorities are already recommending that companies consider flexible hours, remote work, and restrictions on the delivery of goods to reduce the challenges that the security operation will cause.
The warnings were made known this Monday when representatives from the FBI, the Secret Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local law enforcement agencies presented the security preparations for the international meeting, which will bring together leaders from some of the world's major economies in Doral.
The meeting, held in Medley, was attended by Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz; Doral Police Chief Matt Castillo; and the city’s mayor, Christi Fraga, among other officials responsible for coordinating the event.
The message to the neighbors was clear: daily life in Doral will be affected during the two days of the summit, although the details of the closures and restrictions have not yet been disclosed.
Police Chief Matt Castillo urged commercial establishments to begin planning alternatives for those dates, particularly those that rely on employees commuting daily, suppliers, or merchandise deliveries.
In statements gathered by WSVN, Castillo advised that companies consider flexible work hours, allow remote work when possible, and reduce scheduled deliveries for December 14 and 15.
The recommendation does not imply that all businesses must close nor that a general obligation for remote work has been decreed. These are preventive measures to address the anticipated traffic disruptions around the event.
The authorities confirmed that there will be numerous road closures, but they have not yet identified the streets that will remain blocked, the exact times, or the routes that the official caravans will take.
The officials in charge of the operation explained that part of that information remains classified for security reasons, due to the presence of international dignitaries who require special protection.
For those living in the city and working in other parts of Miami-Dade, or vice versa, the practical recommendation is to anticipate possible delays and follow official communications as the dates approach.
The restrictions could be particularly significant for businesses located near the Trump National Doral, as well as for workers, transporters, and suppliers who need to move through the area.
The possible impact on schools is also a concern for municipal authorities.
Mayor Christi Fraga confirmed to WSVN that the operations of some nearby schools may be impacted by the security deployment and traffic restrictions.
However, up to this point, no list of affected schools, class suspensions, or concrete changes to the school transport routes has been communicated.
For that reason, families will need to wait for instructions from the educational centers and the corresponding school system before assuming there will be closures or changes in schedules.
The summit will bring together international delegations, high-ranking officials, security teams, and numerous journalists, significantly increasing activity around the hotel and golf complex.
Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz warned that the operation will be different from those used for major sporting events, due to the specific risks associated with the protection of heads of state and government.
According to the explanation provided, the security deployment will extend beyond the venue where the meetings will be held, so the consequences for mobility will not necessarily be limited to the immediate access points of the hotel.
The U.S. Secret Service will lead the security coordination efforts, in collaboration with the FBI, FEMA, and various state and local law enforcement agencies.
According to Local 10, the meeting is classified as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), a designation that allows for the coordination of federal and local resources to protect meetings of significant importance.
Joseph "Sonny" Berrios, coordinator of the Secret Service for the G20, explained that the responsibility of the security detail is not only to protect the dignitaries but also to safeguard the attendees and the community where the event takes place.
The agencies involved are working on intelligence information sharing, risk assessment, and coordinating responses to potential incidents.
The FBI special agent Brett Skiles stated that, as of this Monday, there were no credible and specific threats against the summit.
The official explained that the authorities continue to share information to identify potential threats and respond in a coordinated manner, without this indicating that a specific danger against the event has been detected.
Mayor Fraga expressed confidence in Doral's ability to host international delegations and noted that the city already has experience with presidential visits and high-level meetings.
“These guys are ready,” the official stated during the event's presentation, before recalling that President Donald Trump frequently visits Doral and that the city previously hosted the regional summit Shield of the Americas.
Another aspect that the authorities are already considering is the possibility of protests during the meeting.
Fraga assured that areas for protesters will be allocated and that the constitutional right to protest, recognized by the First Amendment of the United States, will be respected.
"The right to the First Amendment will be protected," stated the mayor while explaining that the city is prepared to handle protests, as is customary during international events of this magnitude.
For his part, Police Chief Matt Castillo made it clear that the demonstrations must take place peacefully and that authorities will not tolerate acts of violence, property destruction, or behaviors that threaten public safety.
The existence of these areas may be relevant for Cuban and Venezuelan residents interested in expressing their views on the international issues discussed during the summit.
In March, the Trump National Doral hosted the Shield of the Americas meeting, where Trump met with several Latin American leaders to discuss issues related to regional security, migration, and Cuba.
However, the G20 summit will have a much greater dimension, both in terms of the number of delegations and the logistical and security requirements.
The presence of certain leaders has also sparked political debate ahead of the meeting.
In September, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in the summit, although his attendance was not guaranteed.
The invitation sparked a reaction from the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, who questioned whether Putin could receive an international platform in a community where many people have fled authoritarian governments.
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