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In My Opinion: The Miami Herald’s recent article about the vitriolic attacks on public officials is yet another painful reminder of the toxicity that has seeped into our politics. But for some of us in Coral Gables, this is more than just an unfortunate trend—it’s an everyday reality.
I’ve been in public service for most of my life. Straight out of high school, I had the privilege of working for Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a trailblazer who taught me the value of mutual respect, even in the face of deep political disagreement.
So when I was elected to the Coral Gables Commission, I was excited about the opportunity to bring real change to my city on behalf of residents. What I never expected was the level of sheer malice that would come my way.
Before I had even settled into office, Mayor Vince Lago made his intentions clear. To friends and neighbors, he openly declared, “I will destroy Ariel.” And from that moment on, he worked tirelessly to make those words a reality.
A Campaign of Harassment
Political committees usually spring into action during election season. But Mayor Lago’s Coral Gables First PC has functioned as a permanent smear machine. Since my election, it has spent over $600,000—not on city improvements, not on community outreach, but on relentless attacks.
Mailers, text messages, social media ads, and paid canvassers—their sole purpose? To divide our community and tear down those who dare to challenge the Mayor. Worse, Lago has amplified these attacks from his official city accounts, using taxpayer-funded resources to spread hate.
No social media post goes unnoticed by the Mayor’s network of anonymous trolls. They attack us for our weight, our appearances, and even our families. Commissioner Castro has endured repeated vile sexual harassment. Commissioner Menendez has been falsely and outrageously accused of being a pedophile.
When we refused to be intimidated, the harassment escalated.
It wasn’t enough to attack us. Now, they were coming after those closest to us. My wife, my son, my sister-in-law—even my grandfather, who passed away this summer—have all been targeted online. And in a chilling pattern, some of these anonymous accounts are followed by Mayor Lago himself.
The Threats Became Real
The intimidation quickly left the digital world and entered our real lives. In the past two years, there have been exactly two reports of tire slashings in Coral Gables. The victims? Commissioner Menendez’s wife and Commissioner Castro.
Commissioner Castro was recently out at a restaurant—outside the city—with her seven-year-old son when a woman approached her table, spewing the same venomous rhetoric that Lago has spread for years. The woman then physically assaulted her. Police were called, and an investigation is underway.
My own family has been watched, followed, and threatened. We were having breakfast outdoors one morning when a drone hovered nearby, clearly observing us. The moment I pulled out my camera, it sped away.
Two weeks ago, I attended the Belen Tombola, my alma mater’s annual fair, with my wife and nine-year-old son. Later that night, two photos of me appeared on a troll account—taken from different locations at the event. Someone had been following us. The police are investigating.
Sometimes, the threats are explicit. A message reading, “See you soon, face to face.” A photo of my car at City Hall posted online with the clear implication: We know where you are.
We’ve turned over all documentation to the State Attorney’s office, but Florida’s laws are still woefully inadequate when it comes to protecting elected officials and their families.
This Is Not The City Beautiful
Last year, things got so bad that police had to escort Commissioners Menendez, Castro, and me to City Hall due to a credible threat. Just think about that—elected officials needing police protection simply to do the job we were elected to do.
This is not the Coral Gables we all love. It is not the Coral Gables my colleagues and I swore an oath to serve. Disagreements will always exist. But dissent should never lead to destruction. And leadership should never be weaponized to sow division and fear.
As Speaker Danny Perez and Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo said just this week, it is time to tone down the rhetoric.
We are better than this. Coral Gables deserves better.
This piece was authored by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez; his views and opinion are not necessarily those of Miami’s Community News.
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