Dariel Fernández affirmed that his office will continue to apply state and federal law and that the lawsuits will not stop the revocation of licenses of companies linked to operations with the Cuban regime.
MADRID, Spain.- The tax collector of Miami-Dade County, Dariel Fernández, publicly defended the revocation of business licenses of several companies identified for alleged operations linked to Cuba, after one of them filed a lawsuit before the Federal Court of the Southern District of Florida.
In a release dated December 27, Fernández affirmed that his actions fall within the responsibilities assigned to him by state law. “My responsibility is to enforce the law and protect the safety, trust and well-being of the residents of our community,” said the official, emphasizing that all actions of his office are governed by current legislation and the corresponding administrative procedures.
The collector cited Florida statutes that empower his office to act when there are “legitimate concerns” about companies operating in connection with the Cuban dictatorship, particularly if such activities may involve commerce without proper federal authorization. In those cases, he explained, the county can revoke the Local Business Tax Receipt until the company demonstrates compliance with all legal and administrative requirements to operate in Miami-Dade.
The official confirmed that one of the affected companies chose to take the case to federal courts, but made it clear that the litigation will not alter the actions of his office. “The lawsuits do not deter us from fulfilling our duty,” he said, adding that the application of the law will continue “firmly, responsibly and in accordance with established legal and administrative procedures.”
Fernández also framed these measures within a broader institutional duty to safeguard the national security of the United States, by ensuring that the county will not allow its territory to be used directly or indirectly to benefit or support the Cuban Government.
The judicial process continues while the county maintains revocations and administrative review of the cases.
Fernández’s statements come after the county decision to revoke business licenses for 20 businesses which, according to the authorities, could not prove valid federal permits to operate with Cuban entities. As part of the process, dozens of companies were previously notified and documentation was required to demonstrate their compliance with the applicable regulations.
The Local Business Tax was revoked for the following entities:
- Havana Sky Travel Inc. (two locations)
- AMZ Immigration and Multi-Services Corp.
- Global Cargo Corp.
- Globi Multiservices Inc. (d/b/a Globi Envios)
- Managua Travel Agency Inc. (d/b/a Cuba Travel & Services)
- BM Envios Cargo Corp.
- R & R Logistics Customer Freight Solutions LLC
- Leafy Holidays Inc.
- JM Services LLC
- Yumury Envios & Travel LLC (two locations)
- Lucero Services Corp.
- OMD Multiservices LLC (d/b/a Martinair Travel)
- JC Montoya Services Inc.
- Latin Logistics LLC (d/b/a Avianca Express)
- Capote Express Inc.
- Pocho Express LLC
- Xcellence Travel Inc.
- Via Blanca Multiservice Inc.
- Your Cuba Multiservices Corp.
- Xael Charters Inc. (two locations)
He Local Business Tax It is the tax receipt or license that, in Miami-Dade, is required to operate legally and is administered by the collector’s office. In practice, the revocation of that document prevents the business from operating legally within the county, although the determination and criminal prosecution of violations of the federal sanctions regime corresponds to federal authorities.
