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Man Arrested For Brawl Outside Historic Cuban Restaurant Appears In Court

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) — A man arrested outside Versailles Cuban restaurant Friday, accused of attacking a man who was in favor of restored diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba, was in bond court Saturday.

Rafael Vidaillet, 71, is charged with inciting a riot, battery and disorderly conduct.

"Your Honor, I feel really bad," Vidaillet said before Judge Beatrice Butchko reminded him he was charged with a crime and anything he said could be used against him.

Vidaillet, seemingly remorseful, told the judge he doesn't have a criminal history and that he's lived in South Florida for more than a decade.

Judge Butchko decided to grant him pre-trial release.

The man he's accused of attacking, Waldo Mata, was not in court.

Waldo Mata
Miami police say 45-year-old Waldo Mata was at Versailles when he got into a fight and refused to leave. (Source: Miami-Dade Corrections)

Mata faces a charge of resisting arrest without violence.

The scuffle was captured on camera by news crews covering the historic change in diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba.

On Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry was on the island to raise the flag over the U.S. Embassy in Havana, the first time the American flag has flown there in 54 years.

"My friends, we are gathered here today because our leaders – President Obama and President Castro – made a courageous decision to stop being the prisoners of history and to focus on the opportunities of today and tomorrow," Secretary Kerry said.

"We are certain that the time is now to reach out to one another, as two peoples who are no longer enemies or rivals, but neighbors – time to unfurl our flags, raise them up, and let the world know that we wish each other well," he added.

Kerry shopped for Cuban cigars and was said to have met with Cuban dissidents behind closed doors following the ceremony, before leaving Cuba Friday night.

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