MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - With the United States announcing a warning for travelers heading to Cuba, South Florida residents and visitors alike are voicing their opinions on the matter.
According to government officials, the warning comes in light of recent attacks on U.S. diplomats in hotel rooms and homes in Cuba. Over the past several months, 21 diplomats have become sick.
In addition to warning U.S. citizens against traveling to Cuba for their own safety, the government is directing more than half of U.S. personnel in the island nation to come home.
While no American tourists have been injured, officials say they could be injured or are putting themselves at risk by traveling to the country.
Cuban officials indicated their government was not involved in any attacks, nor were they aware of any attacks.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, President Donald Trump said details about the travel warning are forthcoming. “The problem we’ve had in Cuba, and we’ll be coming out with something, but there was a big problem with Cuba, so we’ll be announcing that fairly soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, several Havana-bound flights took off from Miami International Airport on Friday.
Passengers on those flights expressed their concerns as they prepared to board their flights. “With all that’s going on, it’s a bit concerning,” said Rainer Perez, “but I’m not a diplomat, you know. I don’t have anything to do with politics.”
Havana-bound passenger Neisy Martinez said she doesn’t see any forthcoming pleasure trips in the foreseeable future. “Maybe, if I’m being a tourist, I will think it twice,” she said.
Others at MIA also voiced their thoughts on a potential trip to Cuba. “I wouldn’t travel there. Specifically me, I wouldn’t,” said traveler Shahar Lawrence. “Safety is my number one concern.”
“Do I think it’s safe to go there? I haven’t looked at the State Department’s warning page to determine what kind of issues may exist there,” said traveler Richard Davis. “It may be just as safe to travel to Cuba now as it would be to, maybe, southern parts of Chicago.”
“Of course it affects my family and all the Cubans here in Miami, so it’s really sad to hear,” said traveler Natalie Montero.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said he does not believe Cuban officials’ claim about the attacks.
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