Historic shift in Hialeah politics: First woman mayor takes office amid council shakeup
Garcia-Roves is becoming the first woman to serve as mayor of Hialeah, a strong mayor position, taking on the role in an interim capacity during the city's centennial anniversary, following Esteban 'Steve' Bovo's resignation to become a lobbyist in Washington, D.C, a move that took effect on Sunday.
Garcia-Roves, 42, a mother who homeschooled her children, entered politics following in the footsteps of her father, Bernardo Garcia-Roves—a respected community leader who advised several of Hialeah's mayors and council members. Though politically connected for years, she formally stepped into the public spotlight in 2019 with the backing of then-Mayor Carlos Hernandez. Running on his slate, she defeated Milly Herrera, a prominent advocate for Hialeah Park. Known for her quiet presence during meetings, Garcia-Roves has typically supported items on the agenda and rarely voices opposition.
'I may be quiet, but I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. I don't believe in speaking without purpose' said Garcia-Roves in her speech as mayor. 'I am here to work, to listen and to lead by example, with a clear focus on doing what is best for our beloved city.'
To the media, Garcia-Roves said she plans to follow in the footsteps of former Mayor Bovo in governing the city. However, she pledged to ease the burden of Hialeah's high water and sewer fees—the fourth highest in Miami-Dade County. While she did not specify who would benefit from this relief, her office said the plan would be subsidized through grants the city has received. A similar promise was made by Bovo during his tenure but ultimately went unfulfilled.
In 2023, during an election year, the city announced it would invest $250,000 in the Utility Assessment Relief Program (UARP) to help seniors offset a water rate hike that was implemented in September 2022. However, public records obtained by El Nuevo Herald reveal that only $4,711.50 in grants have actually been distributed through the program.
One of the most defining moments of her political career came in 2022, when she led a public campaign to raise mental health awareness after losing a family member to suicide. last year, Garcia-Roves gained attention again when Hialeah opposed Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's proposal to hold a referendum for a $2.5 billion debt plan. As council vice president at the time, Garcia-Roves made an unusual statement on behalf of Bovo's administration, announcing the introduction of a resolution opposing any county bond referendum.
Garcia-Roves was reelected unopposed to the city council in 2023, and a year later, she was chosen by her fellow council members to serve as council president—a symbolic role unless the mayor's seat becomes vacant, as it has now. According to the city charter, when the mayor's seat is vacated, the council president assumes the role. Although the next mayoral election is scheduled for November, a recent change to the city code allows for a two-month transition period after the election. As a result, Garcia-Roves will serve as interim mayor until January 2026—unless she decides to run for the office herself.
When asked by the Herald whether she intends to run, Garcia-Roves didn't rule it out. 'It's a big decision I have to make,' she said. 'I need to sit down with my family and determine that. Right now, I'm focused on the position I've been entrusted with. But I have until June to make up my mind.'
Several politicians are eyeing the mayor's seat in Hialeah now that it's officially open. Miami-Dade County Commissioner René Garcia entered the race on March 31, filing his candidacy documents. He is set to challenge former council member Bryan Calvo, who was the first to launch his campaign after learning that Bovo would be stepping down. But they may not be the only contenders.
Although no one else has formally filed paperwork, Councilwoman Monica Perez, reelected in 2023, told the Herald she is 'considering' run for mayor. She said several residents have encouraged her, though she made it clear she would not run against Commissioner Garcia if he decides to stay in the race. Garcia has told multiple TV outlets that he has not made a final decision and will wait until the qualification period, which runs from July 7-28, to determine whether he'll remain a candidate.
Another potential contender: Council Member Jesus Tundidor, who, like Perez and Garcia-Roves was elected in 2019 under then-Mayor Carlos Hernandez. However, Tundidor filed on April 4 to run for the Miami-Dade Commission seat that Garcia may vacate—anticipating a possible shuffle in political positions. Once considered the front-runner to succeed former Mayor Bovo, Tundidor was widely expected to have the former mayor's endorsement. Instead, Bovo threw his support behind Commissioner Garcia.
With Garcia-Roves stepping into the mayor's role, her city council seat will remain vacant until at least January 2026. Two potential candidates have emerged as front runners to fill it.
One of them is William Marrero, 21, who currently serves as an aide to Council Member Luis Rodriguez, who is also up for reelection. Marrero is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Public Administration at Florida International University, after earning an Associate in Arts degree in Public Policy and Services. He has been involved in public service since the age of 15, including four years working with Rodriguez.
Marrero told the Herald he believes the city needs leaders who listen. His experience in politics, he said, gives him firsthand insight into how local government operates — and where it needs to improve.
Marrero is also the boyfriend of Lorena Romero, 24, the newly appointed chief of staff to Mayor Garcia-Roves. Romero rose quickly through the ranks, going from a council aide to one of the city's most influential positions. Marrero's potential candidacy has raised questions about his independence and whether he may receive preferential support from the mayor. While the mayor does not have a vote on the council, the symbolic weight of the position and Garcia-Roves' influence could sway the council's decision.
The other potential candidate is Eduardo Santiesteban, 49, a community activist and advertising professional whose political involvement began after a personal crisis involving his daughter. Her respiratory condition was endangered by limited access between Hialeah and Miami Lakes, particularly in the city's newly developed area near I-75. Motivated by the urgency of the situation, Santiesteban led a successful campaign to open a connecting bridge along Northwest 170th Street. He gained the support of Bovo, at the time a county commissioner. After becoming mayor, Bovo fulfilled the promise in August 2022, improving access for more than 16,000 residents in the area.
Santiesteban ran for city council in 2021 in hopes of doing more for his neighborhood in Hialeah Heights, but lost in the primary. The seat was ultimately won by Bryan Calvo, who went on to become the sole opposition voice during Bovo's mayoral term. Another candidate in that race, Angelica Pacheco, later won a seat in 2023 but was removed by Gov. Ron DeSantis amid an ongoing FBI investigation into alleged healthcare fraud. Her trial is currently underway.
When Pacheco's seat became vacant, Santiesteban attempted to fill it. However, then-Mayor Bovo reportedly pressured council members to withhold their support, arguing that since Santiesteban had previously lost an election, he should earn a seat through the voters, not by appointment. Local politicians told the Herald at the time that Bovo even threatened to veto the appointment if it moved forward.
'If you have run for office and not won, you should pursue the position through an electoral process,' Bovo said last year.
The open mayoral seat, combined with four council seats up for election—including two currently held by interim appointees—raises the possibility of a complete political overhaul in Hialeah. If Garcia-Roves and Perez decide to run for mayor, and Tundidor pursues a seat on the Miami-Dade County Commission, every seat on the City Council could be in play this election cycle.
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Miami Herald
8 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Miami Herald, el Nuevo Herald reporter Nora Gámez Torres wins Maria Moors Cabot prize
Nora Gámez Torres, the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald reporter who has spent more than a decade chronicling the dramatic changes inside Cuba, including daily life amid a collapsing economy, has been awarded the prestigious Maria Moors Cabot Prize for career excellence. Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism announced Wednesday that Gámez Torres, a reporter with McClatchy newspapers, the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald, is among this year's winners for 'her fair, accurate and groundbreaking journalism.' She will be awarded the Cabot Gold Medal, the university said, at a ceremony in October. Gámez Torres is the 17th Herald journalist to win the lifetime achievement prize, the oldest award in international journalism and the most prestigious for coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Cuba-born journalist also joins a prestigious list of Cubans and Cuban Americans who have also been honored over the years by the Cabot jury for promoting inter-American understanding of life under Cuba's communist regime. 'For more than a decade, Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald correspondent Nora Gámez Torres has provided deeply reported, compelling coverage of Cuba, becoming the most authoritative voice on the island nation in the U.S. media,' the announcement said. Gámez Torres, who came to the Herald from academia, first joined el Nuevo Herald in 2014. Since then, her coverage has become a go-to resource for everyone from relatives living in the U.S. seeking information about what's happening on the island to policy hawks trying to carve out U.S. policy. Her essential coverage of U.S.-Cuba relations and historic developments on the island often beats Havana-based competition, although she has not been allowed inside Cuba for nine years, the Cabot jury noted. 'With Cuban media under tight government control, many Cubans also learn about events in their own country through her reporting,' said the judges. The Maria Moors Cabot jury highlighted Gámez Torres' reporting on the pivotal role that Cuban Americans in Miami played in the return of capitalist enterprises to Cuba; her exclusives on the Havana Syndrome illness that struck U.S. diplomats, and the arrest of a former U.S. ambassador in Miami who pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent for Cuba. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited her reporting during his confirmation hearing to become the Trump administration's top diplomat. During questioning about U.S. policy toward Cuba, Rubio referenced Gámez Torres exposé on how Cuba's military-run conglomerate, GAESA, has been hoarding billions of dollars in its secret accounts while the population suffers from electrical blackouts and starvation. Cuba runs one of the world's best intelligence services. Gámez Torres series, based on leaked documents, wasn't just a testament to her sourcing but her years of trusted reporting. The stories marked the first time internal information from GAESA's accounting system had been publicly disclosed. 'Nora embodies the spirit of courageous journalism that the Cabot Prize represents. Her work has consistently illuminated complex issues with depth, clarity and fearlessness,' said Alex Mena, executive editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald. 'We are incredibly proud to see her named a Cabot Prize winner. It is a well-deserved honor and a powerful recognition of the impact of her reporting.' In addition to her investigations on government mismanagement and corruption, Gámez's reporting portfolio includes stories on human rights violations and political repression inside Cuba. That includes stories on the unprecedented anti-government protests in July 2021, the surprising return of capitalism to the island and the historic exodus of Cubans fleeing extreme poverty and repression. As a result of her hard hitting reports, she has been a frequent target of attacks by Cuban state media and state security forces. 'It is with great gratitude that I accept the María Moors Cabot award, which is also a testament to the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald's commitment to covering Cuba and the Cuban American community in South Florida,' Gámez Torres said. 'Throughout my time at the Herald, I have been inspired and mentored by colleagues and friends who have won this prestigious award. And I am honored to continue the line of Cuba-born journalists who have received this distinction.' That list includes former Herald foreign correspondent and assistant world editor Juan Tamayo and former Herald publisher and former head of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Alberto Ibargüen, who received a special citation along with Cuban dissident and blogger Yoani Sanchez. While Cuba and the Cuban American diaspora are her speciality, Gámez Torres also reports on U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. More recently, she has also been involved in reporting on the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Gámez Torres, the Cabot jury said, 'keeps both governments in her sights; she reported on a Cuban woman who was detained while doing a routine ICE check-in and then deported, leaving a still breastfeeding daughter and American husband behind.' Gámez Torres has been part of winning investigative teams, including those behind the Panama Papers, the Odebrecht series and the Bribery Division series in partnership with other national and international media outlets. Her work has been recognized by the Florida Society of News Editors, the Society of Professional Journalists and others. Gámez first studied journalism at the University of Havana, where she later taught Media Theory. She has a Ph.D in Sociology from City University of London and a Master of Science in Media and Communications from the London School of Economics.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
EPA moves to undo key climate rule; California vows to fight back
The Environmental Protection Agency took a major step toward backing out of the business of fighting climate change on Tuesday, a move that California leaders vowed to push back on. The federal agency, after months of speculation, announced it was seeking to undo the scientific finding that authorizes greenhouse gas regulation. The 'endangerment finding,' which asserts that greenhouse gases are harming humans and must be regulated, has helped spawn several federal policies that limit planet-warming pollution from vehicles, power plants and more. Without the finding, these regulations could be without legal merit and subject to weakening or removal. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, in announcing the agency's plans at an auto dealership in Indiana, called specifically for eliminating emissions standards for cars and trucks. California, as a champion for climate causes, has many state-level carbon pollution programs that wouldn't be directly affected by repeal of the federal endangerment finding. Still, state leaders, alongside environmental groups across the nation, blasted the EPA's announcement as another blow to the warming planet. 'On a global level, this is incredibly impactful and takes us backwards,' Yana Garcia, head of the California Environmental Protection Agency, told the Chronicle. Critics of the EPA point to the many disasters that have been caused or exacerbated by anthropogenic warming, from the recent flooding in Texas to the devastating fires earlier this year in Los Angeles. They insist regulating heat-trapping gases is a national imperative. California and other forward-thinking states, Garcia said, were working together to maintain and strengthen local and regional policies that target greenhouse gas emissions absent the federal government. 'The power that will come from ongoing coalitions will be critically important,' Garcia said. Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to Tuesday's EPA announcement by issuing a statement for the U.S. Climate Alliance, a collaboration of governors pushing for climate action. 'Americans deserve the truth from their federal government about the climate crisis,' the statement said. 'No amount of burying research or firing scientists will change the facts: Greenhouse gas pollution causes climate change and endangers our health and welfare — period.' The Trump administration, just seven months into office, has questioned the reality of climate change and pursued an agenda of broadly undoing regulations that raise costs for businesses and consumers. On Tuesday, Zeldin singled out the auto industry and car buyers as unfairly bearing the brunt. In the EPA's proposal to rescind the endangerment finding, published in the Federal Register, the agency argues that it never had the power to declare that greenhouse gases were harmful. The EPA has begun accepting public comment on its proposal, after which time it's expected to officially revoke the finding. Legal challenges are certain to follow. The endangerment finding was published in 2009, two years after the Supreme Court ruled that the EPA has the power to regulate carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Meanwhile, California, at the state-level, has regulated carbon pollution through such programs as cap and trade, which limits greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sources, and vehicle emissions standards, covering cars and trucks. Congress recently revoked the state's authority to move forward with an ambitious auto emissions policy that would have phased out gasoline-fueled vehicles by 2035 — the state is fighting to save the policy in court. California's earlier vehicle emission standards remain in effect. While environmental groups were overwhelmingly critical of the EPA's announcement Tuesday, some who work on climate issues say there may be a silver lining. Should the federal government stop regulating greenhouse gases, California and other states could choose to do it themselves, and perhaps do it more effectively, something they haven't been allowed to do because of existing federal regulation. Of course, not all states would participate. 'One of my colleagues said they should be careful of what they wish for,' said Mary Nichols, distinguished counsel for UCLA's Emmett Institute on Climate Change and Environment and former chair of the California Air Resources Board. 'This leaves California much less subject to challenge if we say we want to regulate carbon emissions. They can't preempt us from doing that.'
CNN
23-07-2025
- CNN
Abrego Garcia to remain behind bars for at least a month even as judge rejects Trump administration's claim he's dangerous
A federal judge in Tennessee declined on Wednesday to undo a separate judge's decision to let Kilmar Abrego Garcia remain free while he awaits trial on human smuggling charges — though he'll continue to remain behind bars for at least another month. The ruling from US District Judge Waverly Crenshaw said federal prosecutors had not shown 'through clear and convincing evidence' that Abrego Garcia would present a danger to others or the community if he were allowed to remain out of criminal custody as his case unfolds. 'The government's general statements about the crimes brought against Abrego, and the evidence it has in support of those crimes, do not prove Abrego's dangerousness,' Crenshaw wrote in a 37-page ruling rejecting a request from the Trump administration that he should reverse a ruling by a magistrate judge in Nashville that also said prosecutors hadn't made a strong case for keeping Abrego Garcia behind bars for now. But the magistrate judge — Barbara Holmes — said in another decision that Abrego Garcia would remain behind bars for at least 30 more days, granting an unopposed request by his lawyers for him to stay in criminal custody. Abrego Garcia's lawyers had made the request earlier this week in an effort to ensure removal proceedings wouldn't quickly begin once he's released from custody. Just as Crenshaw, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, released his ruling, a third judge in Maryland who is overseeing a civil case brought by Abrego Garcia and his family over his wrongful deportation earlier this year to El Salvador released her own ruling that bars the administration from quickly deporting him again should he be released from criminal custody in coming days. That ruling from US District Judge Paula Xinis, also an Obama appointee, is meant to do two things: Restore Abrego Garcia to the immigration position he was in before his deportation in mid-March and ensure his due process rights aren't violated again should officials try to remove him from the US a second time. 'These rulings are a powerful rebuke of the government's lawless conduct and a critical safeguard for Kilmar's due process rights,' said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Abrego Garcia's attorneys, in a statement. 'After the government unlawfully deported him once without warning, this legal protection is essential.' Xinis is prohibiting the Trump administration from taking Abrego Garcia into US Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody once he's released from criminal custody, and she ordered officials to put him back into the position of being under supervision by the ICE Baltimore Field Office, which is what his status quo was prior to mid-March. That supervision allowed him to work and live in Maryland, with occasional check-ins with an immigration officer. 'Once Abrego Garcia is restored under the ICE Supervision Order out of the Baltimore Field Office, Defendants may take whatever action is available to them under the law,' the judge wrote, adding that it's possible he could be ordered to appear before immigration officials in Baltimore, who may begin the process of deporting him. 'So long as such actions are taken within the bounds of the Constitution and applicable statutes, this Court will have nothing further to say,' Xinis wrote. The Trump administration quickly criticized the judge's decision. 'The fact this unhinged judge is trying to tell ICE they can't arrest an MS-13 gang member, indicted by a grand jury for human trafficking, and subject to immigration arrest under federal law is LAWLESS AND INSANE,' Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said on X, referring to the government's allegation that Abrego Garcia is a gang member. The ruling also puts guardrails on the government's ability to quickly deport Abrego Garcia to a nation other than his home country of El Salvador. Those measures, the judge said, are meant to ensure the government won't run roughshod over Abrego Garcia's due process rights, which include having the chance to raise a claim that he has a fear of facing torture in the third country the government may want to deport him to. Should officials be planning to deport him to a third country, they must give his lawyers at least 72 hours' notice prior to that intended removal so he has an opportunity to make such 'claims of credible fear or seek any other relief available to him under the law and the Constitution.' The Maryland father of three was wrongly deported to El Salvador in mid-March, setting off a monthslong legal fracas before Xinis, who ordered the government to secure his return to the US. He was brought back to the US last month to face federal human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia is currently in pre-trial detention in Tennessee but could soon be released from that court's authority and turned over to the Department of Homeland Security. Last month, his attorneys in the case before Xinis, of the federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, raised concerns that the Trump administration would quickly deport him once he's out of criminal custody and back in the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The government has wavered in recent weeks on whether they would deport him before he stands trial in the human smuggling case.' 'All we're trying to do for today is ensure that there is no constitutional violation,' Andrew Rossman, one of Abrego Garcia's attorneys, said during a recent court hearing. The government is already barred from removing Abrego Garcia to El Salvador because of a 2019 order from an immigration judge.
