MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach commissioners have formally opposed a Cuban consulate on the beach unless there is a change in the Cuban regime.
The decision was a proactive measure and a message of unity sent to the federal government, because there has been no official discussion about a consulate being opened in Miami Beach.
Still, it took a lot of debating for city commissioners to agree on its position regarding the future possibility of a Cuban consulate in Miami Beach.
"I will not be a part of seeing the Cuban flag flying within the city of Miami Beach," commissioner John Aleman said.
"If we engage the Cubans in Cuba, if we give them hope, if we interact with them, if we work with the church, then we give them the opportunity to rise up and make the changes in the country that they'd like to make," Mayor Philip Levine said.
While in Cuba last month, Levine and commissioner Ricky Arriola said they'd welcome Cuban diplomats to the city.
A resolution filed by commissioner Michael Grieco opposing a consulate drew in a large group of heated and emotional Cuban exiles Wednesday.
"You will send a message to the oppressed Cuban people that you stand with their oppressors," one exile said.
Arriola asked to have the resolution tabled, calling the discussion premature and wanting to keep the door open for a Cuban consulate in Miami Beach in the future.
"There is no offer for a Cuban embassy or consulate and we need to let things play out before we make any kind of decision," Arriola said. "There's going to be unintended consequences if we pass this resolution and I think we need to differ at this time."
The commission agreed to do away with Grieco's resolution and instead adopted recommendations from the Hispanic Affairs Committee that were put together after hearing from dozens of Cuban Americans Monday night.
It essentially said the same thing in different wording, that the resolution still opposes a Cuban consulate in Miami Beach so long as the Cuban government continues its violation of basic freedoms and human rights.