Organizations of Cuban-Americans in Miami have strongly condemned the terrorist attack committed April 27, in Coral Gables, against Airline Brokers, a travel agency specializing in charter flights to Cuba, and called for an end to U.S. government restrictions on travel to the country. The agency had recently made arrangements for a delegation of 300 people who traveled to Cuba to witness the Pope’s visit to the island.

The statement was signed by the Alianza Martiana, the Antonio Maceo Brigade, the José Martí Association, the Miami Bolivarian Circle, the Association of Christian Women in Defense of the Family, according to Prensa Latina, in addition to the Foundation for Normalization of US-Cuba Relations, the Cuban-American Defense League and the Socialist Workers Party, among other non-governmental groups which support the Cuban people.

"We regard this criminal action as a terrorist attack, not only against this company, but also against the right of all American citizens to travel to Cuba and, particularly, to share time with and to help their families," the statement said.

"Terrorist actions like this one violate democracy," added the text, which urges the U.S. government to lift all Cuba travel bans and calls on local and federal authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation that can lead to prosecution of the culprits.

"As long as terrorists walk the streets of Miami as free men, actions like this one will continue to be perpetrated by them or by others who think and act like them," the statement warned, emphasizing that those responsible must be found and appropriately punished so that acts such as this are not repeated in South Florida.

After pointing out that no member of Congress or any other elected state official has condemned the attack, the document adds that this must happen as soon as possible, since the situation is "truly disgraceful."

The fire at the travel agency, which occurred during the early morning hours, has been described as deliberate by authorities speaking to the local press, and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (AFT), as well as the Coral Gables Fire Department.

The case has revived memories of the 1970’s and 80’s, when Miami suffered a rash of politically motivated arson attacks and car-bombings targeting those perceived as sympathetic to Cuba.