MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Dariel Fernandez, Miami-Dade County’s tax collector, said he is going after businesses doing business with the Cuban government.
Fernandez said the county is working with the federal government, and he wants county and city officials to pass resolutions to help him.
“We are working together with the State Department,” Fernandez said, adding, “We can review or revoke any local business tax in Miami-Dade.”
Miami Commissioner Ralph Rosado, who represents District 4, said the city is working with Fernandez, who has authority over occupational license permits.
“They are doing this through the purchase of goods that are actually supported by the Cuban government,” Rosado said.
Yfraín Villazon works at Café Travel, a travel agency based in Miami-Dade that offers trips to Cuba. He said he doesn’t believe it, and he wasn’t alone.
“It can’t be,” Leonel Vicent, who also works at Café Travel, said in Spanish, adding that authorities should really be targeting the big corporations instead of small businesses.
Vincent said American Airlines and other airlines are landing in Cuba. He said he views the county measures as political. Fernandez disagrees.
“We don’t care if it’s Democrat, independent, or a Republican,” Fernandez said. “This is not any political game. I don’t need to be in this position to play any game.”
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