Print this article
Florida began vaccinating Bay of Pigs veterans as the state expanded its COVID-19 vaccination program.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the initiative in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami on Monday at the Bay of Pigs Museum and Library. There, three men who had been captured during the invasion by Fidel Castro’s troops got the first dose of the vaccine.
“We are inspired by folks that have been willing to stand up and fight for freedom,” the governor said. “Cuba’s loss was our gain. These are veterans that we really appreciate.”
One of the veterans who got the vaccination on Monday, Raul Vallejo, who was imprisoned for nearly two years, said, “I’m very pleased that the governor [is taking] care of the veterans and people who offered their lives.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state is expanding the COVID-19 vaccination of homebound seniors program to people who participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion.