Watch CBS News

A Recap Of The Presidential Visit To Miami

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Air Force One left the Miami International Airport runway a little more than a day after it landed Friday.

The president landed at MIA just before 4:00 p.m., behind schedule which left the president with no time for hellos or handshakes.

President Obama was then whisked away for a busy night of headlining a series of fundraising events including the Democratic National Committee at Segovia Towers in which about 30 hardcore supporters attended. The president was greeted by democrats as well as environmental protesters  who hoped to get their one-on-one with the president which didn't happen. The group was there to ask the president to go against the Keystone XL pipeline.

From there, President Obama made remarks at two private homes raising money for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee where he met with two of Cuba's leading dissidents in South Florida.

According to our news partners at the Miami Herald, he told dissident Guillermo Farinas and Ladies in White leader Berta Soler he admired their sacrifices.

"The most important thing here was the recognition by the President of the United States, the most powerful democracy in the world," Farinas told the Miami Herald after the meeting.

The dissidents urged President Obama during the meeting to make sure the opposition on the island, as well as exiles, are included in any future negotiations.

On Saturday morning, the President hit the links at the Grande Oaks Golf Club in Fort Lauderdale. According to the Associated Press,  President Obama was accompanied by basketball player Alonzo Mourning, along with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Cyrus Walker, the cousin of a senior presidential adviser.

Once he wrapped up his golf game, President Obama headed back to Washington Saturday afternoon.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.