Miami – A TSA-sponsored tour of the secure area at Miami International Airport by a Cuban government delegation drew ire from county leaders.
The next day, Miami-Dade officials said the incident had been kept secret.
“The mayor didn't know anything, the airport didn't know anything, and the TSA is a federal agency,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniela Levin Cava said.
“The decision to allow Cuban officials to tour MIA secure areas was made without the knowledge of the Miami-Dade Aviation Authority (MDAD) and was made on Cuba Independence Day. “This is a day to reaffirm our commitment to freedom and democracy. The face of a brutal dictatorship,” Kabba said in a statement.
“As a Cuban American, I am appalled by that,” MIA Director Ralph Cutie said while addressing Miami-Dade County Commissioners.
“Yesterday (Monday, May 20) for approximately five hours, five Cuban government officials and the Cuban equivalent of the TSA were inspected by the State Department,” Cuti said, adding that the delegation visited two sensitive areas. He emphasized that he had inspected the
“TSA checkpoint and TSA baggage inspection area,” Cutie said.
“And the fact that the (MIA) director, the mayor, and we knew nothing about this is a complete slap in the face,” Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rene Garcia said. To my colleague, Commissioner Kevin Cabrera, this visit and tour is considered a matter of cultural insensitivity.
“We know that this is the heart of the Cuban exile community,” Cabrera said, reiterating that the (Cuban delegation's) visit took place on May 20, Cuba's Independence Day. . Cabrera said, “I can't believe (Cuban officials) from one of the four countries that the State Department sponsors terrorism are touring our airport facilities, safety zones, passenger screening methods, cargo screening methods, etc.'' It's outrageous,” he said.
The commissioner recently appeared on CBS News' “60 Minutes.'' espionage And although secret sales are one of Cuba's main exports and captured two senior officials, cuban spyCuban networks are likely still active within the U.S. government.
“Again, this is not just an issue for Cubans. This is a national security issue that we need to address,” Garcia added.
CBS News Miami received the following statement from the Transportation Security Administration:
“TSA works closely with Cuban officials to promote civil aviation security in both countries. Cuban officials did not have access to sensitive technology or systems. They provided an overview of TSA security operations, including equipment that is available to anyone screening at the border, and demonstrated best practices. Cuba will consider implementing similar measures with similar systems to improve its civil aviation security practices…”
Some passengers traveling MIA were quite shocked.
“I hate to think about how they can exploit our security systems and evade inspection,” Mark Rikena said.
“This whole thing is worrying, very worrying,” said his wife, Nina.
Mayor Cava said, “We need to know how this was approved. We've asked the TSA and the State Department, and we're going to be reaching out to the White House.”
