MIAMI — Residents in one Miami neighborhood say a monument honoring the Cuban exile community is being disrespected after years of neglect.
The monument, meant to honor the children of Pedro Pan, is cracked, broken, disfigured and covered with ants.
Between 1960-1962, Operation Peter Pan helped thousands of Cuban children escape the rise of Fidel Castro and safely reach Miami.
Neighbors near Southwest 13th Avenue and 21st Street say the condition of the monument is disrespectful.
Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona said the monument was neglected for many years but is now in the process of being repaired and moved.
Escalona said the monument will be added to a newer memorial created by his predecessor as part of a larger beautification project.
Documents obtained by Local 10 show the project also calls for relocating other historic Cuban monuments, including the Manuel Varona memorial at Triangle Park near Brickell and the Máximo Gómez bust at Domino Park.
The monuments would be placed at the recently opened Peter Pan memorial on Cuban Memorial Boulevard near Southwest Eighth Street, about a mile from the neglected monument.
Escalona said bringing the monuments together would allow people to see more of Cuban history in one place. City officials also hope the relocation will provide more visibility and safety.
But some neighbors do not want the monument moved.
One woman, who asked not to be shown on camera, said the monument is a reminder of her community’s history and sacrifice and should stay where it is.
She said it is in the right place and should simply receive the maintenance it deserves.
City officials told Local 10 News the work to repair and relocate won’t begin until 2027.
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