Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez joined Florida Governor Ron DeSantis at the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library in Miami as the Governor highlighted the implementation of Florida’s new History of Communism education standards. The standards were approved by the State Board of Education in November 2025 and are being implemented beginning with the 2026–27 school year following legislation signed in 2024.
The new standards require instruction on the history and global impact of communism, including communist movements in the United States, atrocities committed under communist governments, political repression, forced migration, famine, and the suppression of fundamental freedoms. The curriculum also addresses the history of communist rule in Cuba and the spread of communist movements throughout Latin America.
“For South Florida, this history is deeply personal,” said Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “Generations of Cubans, Venezuelans, and families from across our hemisphere have made Miami-Dade their home after experiencing political repression and the loss of fundamental freedoms. Their stories deserve to be preserved, heard, and understood by the generations that follow.”
The Governor’s Office said the updated standards also incorporate more recent developments, including the federal indictment of Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft and developments in Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power. The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed the superseding indictment against Castro and five co-defendants in May 2026; the charges remain allegations unless proven in court.
Fernandez emphasized the importance of preserving firsthand accounts from those who experienced repression and political upheaval. He thanked Governor DeSantis, Florida’s education leaders, the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library, and especially the survivors and families who continue sharing their experiences so future generations can better understand the history of their communities and the constitutional freedoms enjoyed in the United States.
