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The Fear of Politicians Facing Tough Questions: When Transparency Becomes Just a Show
In Hialeah,
In Miami-Dade, democracy seems to have clear limits: the ticking clock and the discomfort of those who should be held accountable. We saw this recently in Hialeah, where interim mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves, instead of courageously embracing the role entrusted to her by the citizens, chose to lean on René García out of sheer fear of facing a single question from Miami Herald journalist Veronica Egui Brito. In an act as desperate as it was revealing, she asked René to “shield” her from the press—making it clear that here, fear of the truth hides behind poorly disguised gestures and political maneuvers.
The fear of awkward questions in Miami-Dade politics reached a new peak during the press conference at Hialeah City Hall. In an act as clumsy as it was revealing, the exact moment when Mayor Pro Tem Jacqueline Garcia-Roves (current candidate for mayor of Hialeah) turned to René García—county commissioner and a powerful figure in local power—to “distract” her and prevent reporter Verónica Egui Brito of the Nuevo Herald from approaching her and asking her direct questions was captured on video.
Everything was clear: Jacqueline’s hand and finger shamelessly pointed at Verónica, indicating to René who he should retain and detain to avoid any awkward questions. This scene highlights the lack of transparency and fear of a free press. This wasn’t the first time: days earlier, Verónica had already questioned René García about Jacqueline’s integrity, a question to which he responded by evading the topic and quickly changing the subject.
This is how politics are run in Miami-Dade: with gestures, signals, and a lot of fear of uncomfortable truths. The people deserve brave officials, not leaders who hide behind pleading fingers and allies of the moment.
At the Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners
This is not an exception. In the commission meetings—supposedly the primary space for the people’s voice—citizens are given only one minute at the microphone. What can you really denounce, propose, or demand in sixty seconds when there are thousands of issues affecting the county and its municipalities? It’s obvious that the rules are designed more to silence than to listen.
In Public events
Public events and press conferences are also not immune to double talk. Officials, faced with the independent and controversial press, respond evasively, repeat clichés, and avoid any real questions. Ask about dubious hiring, inflated expenses, shady decisions, or corruption, and you’ll receive a nervous smile, a “no comment,” or a “that’s under investigation.”
The truth is that Miami-Dade—just like the rest of the country—is beginning to unmask its political representatives. It’s no longer enough to make campaign promises or pose at patriotic events. More and more citizens and journalists, from neighborhoods to national outlets, are learning to look behind the curtain and demand real answers.
Meanwhile, the usual suspects keep trying to sweep scandals, mismanagement, and even possible crimes under the rug. But it’s not working anymore. People are tired of those who should serve them living in constant fear of an uncomfortable question. There can be no real democracy where fear of the truth and a habit of evasion prevail.
That’s why it’s time to lift the rug and clean house. Residents of Miami-Dade—and of the entire country—must think twice about whom they trust with their vote and confidence. The press and the community have a duty to keep bringing to light what others want to bury, because only by confronting fears and lies can we aspire to a politics that truly respects its citizens.
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