The measure was announced by Mayor Bryan Calvo, who created an advisory group to review whether these businesses comply with state and federal trade and sanctions laws.
MADRID, Spain.- The mayor of Hialeah, Bryan Calvo, announced the launch of an investigation into approximately 290 companies that operate in that southern Florida city to determine if they maintain commercial relations with the Cuban government.
During a press conference, the mayor explained that the initiative is part of his first decisions after taking office and is supported by an executive order. “On my first day in office I signed executive order number two to create CUBAT Task Force, an advisory group that will investigate companies in our city that are doing business with the Cuban dictatorship,” he stated.
The CUBAT advisory group is made up of municipal officials and figures from the political and community spheres of South Florida. Among its members is the Cuban-American presenter and influencer Alexander Otaola, who will participate as an advisor in the evaluation process of the businesses under investigation.
According to Calvo, the Hialeah Business License Department detected nearly 290 businesses that, when requesting or renewing their license, declared some type of link with Cuba. He specified that this initial identification does not imply that everyone is breaking the law. “It does not mean that everyone is in violation. They are potential cases that go to the next phase of the process,” he pointed out.
The mayor explained that the review will be carried out in a staggered manner and in several stages. In the first phase, the preliminary identification of the businesses was carried out. A formal investigation will then be opened that will include a request for documentation, questionnaires and verification of possible exemptions provided for in state and federal legislation, such as those related to humanitarian aid. When appropriate, files will be forwarded to the Hialeah Police Department’s Economic Crimes Unit for further analysis.
The last stage will be administrative in nature and will guarantee due process. In it, companies will be able to appear before the municipal authorities and present their defense before a decision is taken on a possible temporary suspension or definitive revocation of the license, depending on the seriousness of the faults detected and whether these can be corrected.
“Florida law allows us to revoke or suspend licenses of businesses that support the Cuban dictatorship, always respecting due process,” said Calvo. “We are not going to hesitate to do it if it is best for the city and our residents.”
With similar objectives, the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, Dariel Fernandez, recently said: “Miami-Dade will not be used as a platform to finance or sustain a dictatorship that oppresses its people.” AND advertisement the issuance of additional compliance notices directed at businesses whose activities could involve illegal trade with the Cuban regime.
The move is part of an ongoing review to verify that all businesses operating in the county are in compliance with state law, local code and required federal authorizations.
