CUBAN INFORMATION ARCHIVES
DOCUMENT 0281
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Rosita Fornes Protests
1996 Aug-Sep
2 Reports[MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT]
CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU
INTELLIGENCE UNIT
UPDATE NO. CIB-96-49
POLITICAL PROTESTS AND FIRE BOMBS
The following information has been received by this office:Rosita Fornes (a world renown Cuban singer that has been one of the top recent topics in Cuban exile circles) will perform in concert at the Jackie Gleason Theater, located in Miami Beach, on Friday, August 30, 1996.
Fornes held a recent performance in New York City and she intended to perform in South Florida; however, a considerable number of Cuban exile organization representatives protested her appearance since they consider Fornes an "instrument" of the Cuban government.
Fornes' earlier attempt to host a concert at Centro Vasco Restaurant in Little Havana (July 1996) received strong criticism from several anti-Castro government spanish [Spanish] radio stations. As a result, unknown persons tossed an incendiary device into Centro Vasco Restaurant, thus causing the cancellation of the concert. When interviewed, the restaurant proprietor revealed that such cancellation was prompted by fear of further aggression by South Florida's anti-Castro Cuban exiles factions.
Since that time, two separate political fire bombings have been reported at the Sandinista Political Party Headquarters and also at Marazul Charters Inc., (an agency that specialized in freight forwarding of medicine and other goods to Cuba).
As a result of the present political climate, it can be expected that a large contingency of exiles will protest at the theater on the day of the scheduled concert. In addition, the theater property may be targeted for future acts or arson or vandalism.
The Criminal Intelligence Section has contacted City of Miami Beach Police Department and City of Miami Police Department and has forwarded this information to those respective departments. A liaison between this section and the mentioned agencies will be established in order to curtail any acts against persons or property.
Detective R. Hayward
Areas of Responsibility:
Militia Groups, White Supremacist, Motorcycle Gangs, Anti-Abortion Activist Groups, Florida Air Smuggling Intelligence, Cult/Occult Activities
Criminal Intelligence Section
September 1996INTELLIGENCE UNITS I & II
Intelligence Unit II
Sergeant Jose LopezDetective L. Rodriguez
Areas of Responsibility: Domestic and International Terrorism.UPDATE NO: CIB-96-56
CUBAN SINGER ROSITA FORNES CRITICIZES TOPAA previously scheduled concert by Cuban singer Rosita Fornes at the Miami Beach Theater of the Performing Arts (TOPA) for Friday, September 6, 1996, was postponed by its producer.
Statements provided by Fornes' representatives revealed their discontent with a security fee that was imposed by City of Miami Beach government as part of its contractual agreement with the concert sponsors. These fees were said to be required in order to cover additional security expenses which included the hiring of additional police officers and support personnel.
On previous days, a group of pro-Castro and moderate supporters had expressed its opposition to the manner in which Fornes' appearance was handled by City of Miami Beach government and scheduled a demonstration at the grounds of TOPA.
The following organizations are expected to partake in this demonstration: The Miami Coalition Against the Embargo of Cuba, The Cuban American Defamation League Organization, Antonio Maceo Brigade and the Alliance of Workers of the Cuban Community (ABC). A total of approximately 200 demonstrators are expected to be in attendance.
The Criminal Intelligence Section will assist Miami Beach Police Department during coverage of this demonstration.
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