The recent visit of officials and officials of the Cuban government to the Miami International Airport has generated controversy among the community, local politicians, as well as senators and congressmen from the Republican wing in Washington.
On May 20, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) received a visit from its Cuban counterparts, as part of a collaborative exchange between both countries. United States delegations have visited Cuban airports since 2003 and officials from the island’s government began their visits to facilities in the United States since 2011.
This Thursday, a group of senators and congressmen sent a letter of protest to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, in English) and David Pekoske, head of the TSA, about the visit, saying that Cuban officials had access to “sensitive areas” at the airport.
“It has been reported that these agents accessed secure areas and were able to view confidential airport security protocols. As you know, the Cuban regime is designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SSOT) and has absolutely no reason to be invited to tour areas sensitive or view the security protocols of a US airport, whose sole purpose is to safeguard the millions of travelers who pass through the US commercial aviation system each year,” the politicians indicated.
The TSA said in a statement sent to Martí News that “works closely with its Cuban counterparts to promote civil aviation safety in both countries.”
The US State Department also endorsed the work of TSA and the need for the visit.
“This involves TSA inspecting Cuban airports to certify their ability to accommodate flights to the United States and occasional reciprocal visits by the Cuban Ministry of Transportation to U.S. airports to discuss best practices,” the State Department said. in an email to Martí.
The State Department was emphatic about the American security strategy. “As we have repeatedly stated, we will communicate with the Cuban government when it is in the national interest of the United States.”
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed her surprise after learning about the visit.
“The decision to allow Cuban officials to tour secure areas at MIA was made without the knowledge of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, and took place on Cuban Independence Day: a day in which we reaffirm our commitment to freedom. and democracy in Cuba in the face of a brutal dictatorship,” said Levine Cava in a statement in X.
[Con información de Martí Noticias]
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