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Cuban-American offices are struck by firebombers
©Associated Press
June 4, 2002
MIAMI -- Firebombers caused minor damage at two Cuban-American organizations' offices in what police believe were related attacks. No one was injured.
Offices of the Cuban American National Foundation and Alpha 66, both of which oppose Cuban President Fidel Castro, were hit with firebombs before any employees arrived early Monday, officials said. The two organizations are a little over a mile apart in Miami's Little Havana area.
No suspects have been identified, police said.
"Reason tells us that these two incidents are related," said Miami police Lt. Bill Schwartz. "We have two well-known anti-Castro organizations, both struck with Molotov cocktails on the same day around the same time.
"Hitting these buildings with flammable liquid is not enough to destroy the building," Schwartz said. "This was probably meant as a message."
The back door of the Cuban American National Foundation was scorched.
"We had employees show up at 6:30 a.m., so it had to be in the early hours," said Mariela Ferretti, a spokeswoman. "There was the strong smell of, I guess, gasoline."
At Alpha 66, a window on the front of the headquarters was hit, leaving burn marks. The group's sign also had some fire and smoke damage. Employees said the attack occurred about 3:30 a.m.
Jesus Hoyos, Alpha 66 chief of operations, said it was the fourth time his organization has been targeted. In some previous instances, the offices were burned out, Hoyos said.
"We're placing security cameras outside the office as the police recommended," Hoyos said.
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