MIAMI (NewsNation) — Miami leaders are outraged by the Biden administration’s unannounced U.S. Department of State visit that hosted Cuban government officials in secure areas of the Miami International Airport.
Local leaders, including the airport’s director, are demanding an apology.
A State Department spokesperson told the Miami Herald the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has conducted similar visits with Cuban officials over the years.
However, critics highlight that the federal government designates Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria.
Sen. Rubio slams tour: ‘Americans less safe’
On Monday, five Cuban officials reportedly were allowed to inspect a TSA checkpoint and baggage screening area at Miami International Airport. The tour lasted roughly five hours.
“Only under the Biden administration would they allow a terrorist regime into our secure facilities at one of the busiest airports in America,” said Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio.
Many, including Cuban Americans and people across the country, are baffled by the allowance of these visits. Counterterrorism experts are fired up, with some even calling it a “slap in the face.”
Among the critics is retired FBI agent and NewsNation law and justice contributor Jennifer Coffindaffer, who has experience working in counterterrorism.
“I’m appalled,” Coffindaffer said. “To think that any official in our country would allow for foreign individuals, particularly individuals on the list, if you will, to be allowed into our airport operations areas, and one of our major airports, is a security risk.”
Will US remove Cuba from the terrorism list?
Last week, the State Department removed Cuba from a short list of countries the U.S. claims are “not cooperating fully” in its fight against terrorism.
Some political scientists believe this move is the Biden administration’s attempt to improve relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding this issue and what it could mean for the communist country moving forward.
Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., asked Blinken if he was going to “check them off the main black list, which is the terrorist list for sponsors of terrorism.” Blinken responded, “Not seeing anything happening by July 21.”
Some politicians aren’t buying that answer from Blinken. Meanwhile, the TSA said the agency “routinely works with all countries with direct flights to the United States.”