Standing with the Cuban people, governing with integrity

Miami is a city shaped by exile and memory. Our residents understand, firsthand, what authoritarian regimes do to families—stifling opportunity and stripping away freedom. That history demands governance rooted in dignity, clarity, and respect for the rule of law. It demands that we stand with the Cuban people, never with repression.

On January 22, the Miami City Commission unanimously adopted Resolution 16, a measure I sponsored to reinforce compliance with existing federal, state, and local laws governing business tax receipts, including those connected to current sanctions against the Cuban regime.

This resolution does not create new sanctions or target lawful businesses operating in good faith. Its purpose is straightforward: to ensure that the laws already in place are applied consistently and fairly. Resolution 16 directs the City Manager to coordinate with the Miami-Dade County Tax Collector to receive regular, verified reports identifying entities found to be illegally engaged in doing business with Cuba. Enforcement must be based on facts—not speculation—and applied evenly over time.

Resolution 16 is part of a broader, coordinated effort. Alongside it, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela advanced a separate resolution urging the U.S. Department of Justice to strengthen federal enforcement, recognizing that meaningful accountability requires collaboration across all levels of government.

I am grateful to my colleagues and regional partners for approaching this issue with seriousness and unity. Miami’s message is clear: if you do business here, you must follow the law. We govern with integrity—and we stand firmly with the Cuban people.

By Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado, District 4, City of Miami

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