The mayor of South Miami contradicts a widespread ideological stereotype in the state of Florida. That of the politician of Cuban origin who can only climb from the conservative, republican and, in recent years, Trumpist faith. Javier Fernández is a Democrat who enthusiastically supports Joe Biden's re-election. His mother came to the United States in 1959. His father, two years later.
"I belong to the first generation born here and I am very proud of my family's sacrifice to come and give us the opportunity to have a tremendous life here in Miami. The legacy they left us is incredible," says Fernández. The mayor of the South Miami residential area also refutes another prejudice: that Cubans are not interested in soccer. This Cuban-American Democrat does like it. To the point of signing an agreement with the Argentine club River Plate. The team has already opened a soccer school in South Miami. From now on, the City Council, one of the 34 that make up Miami-Dade County, committed to improving the quality of the two fields in a large park. It will have lights and build locker rooms. In exchange, the Argentine team will lend its name and know-how.
What was the agreement like?
The South Miami Commission dedicated itself to seeking financing to improve the park that hadn't have investment for many years. We want to offer a decent field to practice this sport. So, we will allocate between 5 and 7 million dollars to change the grass, put in fixed lights, new bathrooms. But we also wanted to bring other resources to improve the quality of the game and expand the number of boys who do not have economic income to be part of the club. River was interested in that idea, so we and we signed an alliance.
What does River Plate offer in exchange?
It offers its training curriculum, its knowledge and ability to train boys and girls in this sport. Marketing and popularity in turn brings more talent and more economic power to the program.
Does it show any parallels with the concession agreement that the North Bay Village City Council has with the Argentine Football Association (AFA)?
It's different. In North Bay Village, AFA is investing capital to improve the physical plant. We wanted to have and maintain control of the program itself. And the way to do it was to invest ourselves and offer a concession for the operation. We don't expect things to go wrong. We have a very positive track record and confidence. In that sense, AFA is different.
How do you evaluate the evolution of soccer in the United States?
In Miami, the number of boys who practice this sport exceeds that of all others. But in the last 25 or 30 years, the perspective of the sport has changed nationally. It already has an important adhesion. The next Copa América, the 2026 World Cup and the phenomenon of Lionel Messi at Inter make everyone very excited about sport. It is the new direction. Let's see if we can top it here in Miami.
The local Governor, Ron DeSantis, dropped out of the presidential race. What do you think of the Republican presidential candidate?
Polls say former President Trump will emerge victorious, although Governor Haley appears to have some good momentum. DeSantis failed to capture the inclination of Iowa voters. His politics in the state of Florida are problematic and he is increasingly less popular, less popular than even a year ago.
What do you criticize about Governor DeSantis' management?
The housing and insurance crisis we have is still valid. The Senate advanced the Live Local Act legislation, which aims to create more housing for middle-income renters, and I think it's going to have a positive impact. But the affordable housing crisis, with very high rental prices, continues. And Governor DeSantis has been largely absent.
Do you agree with DeSantis' policy that restricts the reach of the Obamacare health program in Florida?
No. They have been trying to manage the expansion of Medicare from 10 to 15 years. We could include 800,000 people so that they have access to very good quality health, but the politics here have been against that program. That is costing the taxpayer quite a bit of money. Because there is a very strong federal promotion of coverage, but here in Florida it is being left out.
In recent weeks, Trump escalated his anti-immigrant rhetoric. What do you think of that strategy?
Unfortunately, an image of the immigrant has been created here: someone who does not contribute and has a negative impact. But the truth is that it is quite the opposite. In particular in Miami-Dade County, the Latino community has contributed to the development of the city, with a high positive impact. People who come here looking for a better life have a positive impact on the community, whether in Miami or Iowa. We should not demonize those people who are making a very rational decision: to leave behind the countries and governments that endanger their economy and security, moving to the United States to seek more security and better economic conditions.
Does Trump's speech encourage this demonization?
The negative image of the immigrant exists, but President Trump has given it a lot of momentum. He began his career with those comments about Mexican rapists and, sadly, many of my Republican colleagues have aligned themselves with that speech. But we all know the importance of the Latino community here in Miami and in Florida in general. It contributed to the development with a very positive impact.
Can Democrats take back Florida's government, or is it already a Republican-controlled state?
I think that Florida continues to be a swing state at the state level. But there was a lack of formidable candidates to combat the main Republican actors. The last election was extremely strange, because we had a governor who was up for re-election with a lot of economic capacity. He had more than $200 million to mount his campaign and, in my opinion, we made a mistake.
What was the mistake made in the 2022 campaign?
The mistake we made was recycling a Republican candidate who switched to the Democratic side. Charlie Crist did not move the Democratic voter because he did not contribute and did not represent anything.
Nikki Fried presides over the Democratic Party in Florida with a more assertive profile. Do you believe in her?
I think Nikki is doing the best job she can and to the best of her ability. I talk to her quite frequently. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell's candidacy for the Senate is also very positive. We did not have formidable candidates in the old contests, and without a candidate leading the party at the gubernatorial level it is very difficult for those who follow him to mount a successful campaign.
At the national level, many polls show Trump as the winner. Do you think Biden has a chance of being re-elected?
While Biden is one of the most underappreciated in recent history, I think that when push comes to shove, people are going to appreciate stability instead of the chaos that President Trump always presented. At the end of the day, that is going to be the decision that is going to be made: prioritize a fairly stable, positive economy, with the stock market doing well, and people working. In the end, people are going to decide on such a policy.
Despite the economic stability that you describe, many voters are dissatisfied with Bidenomics. What is it due to?
The main criticism comes from an anguish that is also mine. The trajectory at the federal level of the budget is not sustainable. They continue to accumulate an exorbitant debt. But that's not President Biden's fault. The tax cuts promoted in 2017 by President Trump set us on that course. He was the one who exploited the debt, like his predecessors, President Bush too. So I think it is the anguish of not knowing exactly what is happening. In other countries, such as Greece or Latin America, the budget payroll has not been managed well. And that always implies concern. The duty of both parties is to reach an agreement and return to a better balance.
How important will the Latino vote be in the presidential elections?
Without a doubt, it'll have a central role. It had it last time and it's going to have it again. The vote of my compatriots will be key. But the work that Democrats did to mobilize that vote was terrible in 2022 in Florida. This year we are better organized. Furthermore, President Biden has done many very positive things, such as TPS (Temporary Protected Status) for Venezuelans. Extending it and giving immigrants the opportunity to continue here is something very positive for Miami and for those families.
What do you think of the latest cases of corruption that exploded in the city of Miami? There were accusations and complaints against the mayor, commissioners and officials.
The city of Miami is extremely important for our region. It is sad to watch the news, what is happening there. But I know that there are many good people and good will in that city, both on the commission and in public positions. I hope the situation changes, because the negative news about them has very harmful implications for our region in general. It stigmatizes the region. That this circulates in the hallways of Tallahassee or Washington stigmatizes the entire region because of what is happening in Miami.
Were you in Argentina a few days ago?
Yes, in December, getting to know the incoming government of Jorge Macri in the city. And in the future we could announce a city treaty between South Miami and Buenos Aires. It would be great.
What do you think of the new president of Argentina Javier Milei?
I was in Buenos Aires on Milei's Inauguration Day and I was really impressed. It was a sober and serious speech. Austerity never implies positive things in the immediate future, but for Argentina to recover its economic capacity, I believe it is necessary. I wish him the best of luck, because it is a very difficult task.
Milei is often compared to Trump. What do you think?
I know about the comparison, but they have very different trajectories. Personally, they have that show-man style too, both Milei and Trump, but in his presentation I noticed something very different from what Trump's image projects here in the United States.
Translator: Bibiana Ruiz.
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