Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc

05/23/2026

Mario Manuel de la Peña, a second-generation Pedro Pan, was born on December 28, 1971, in Weehawken, New Jersey. His mother, Miriam Perez Mesa (de la Peña), arrived from Cuba through Operation Pedro Pan in 1962 at the age of 12.
At age 22, Mario joined Brothers to the Rescue in 1994, a nonprofit humanitarian organization dedicated to helping and rescuing Cuban rafters fleeing the island. By the time he turned 24, Mario had flown over one hundred search and rescue missions.
On February 24, 1996, while carrying out one of those search-and-rescue missions in international waters over the Florida Straits, Mario, Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Jr., and Pablo Morales were killed under orders from Fidel and Raul Castro as they aided Cubans escaping the same tyranny Miriam had fled 33 years earlier.
The pain of this crime against one of our Legacy Pedro Pan will remain in our hearts forever, but Mario’s story will not be forgotten. On May 20, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a formal accusation against Raúl Castro for the murders of the four humanitarians.
The indictment was announced at Miami’s iconic Freedom Tower, “La Torre de la Libertad,” that symbol of the American ideal that we Pedro Pans came in search of is home to Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc., the Pedro Pan Museum, the Pedro Pan Exhibit, and now, the place where the road to justice for Mario and his fellow patriots was first announced.

05/23/2026

Congratulations to our new 2026-2027 OPPG Board of Directors

Dear Pedro Pan brothers and sisters,
We proudly announce our 2026-2027 OPPG Board of Directors.

Javier Llorens, President
Carmencita Romanach, First Vice President
Graciela Anrrich, Second Vice President
Olivia González, Secretary
Orestes Wrves, Treasurer

We are grateful to Miriam Castro, Eddie Dulom, and Juan Pujol for their dedication and contributions as they finish their terms.
Congratulations to all.
Board of Directors Operation Pedro Pan Group Inc.

05/11/2026

2026 OPPG Breakfast and Tour of the Bay of Pigs Museum.

04/23/2026

We are proud of our OPPG's Trustee and Pedro Pan Museum Chair, and most importantly, Pedro Pan sister Carmen Valdivia. Her dedication and leadership continue to inspire our community.
The recently inaugurated Bay of Pigs Museum stands as a testament to our shared history and commitment to honoring the past. The museum serves as a powerful reminder of the events and individuals that have shaped our community.
Carmen’s passion for history makes her an exceptional Curator for the Exhibit. Her dedication and enthusiasm are evident in every aspect of the museum, from the thoughtfully designed displays to the educational resources available to visitors.
The interactive timeline and carefully restored artifacts reflect Carmen's commitment to bringing history to life for all who visit. Her attention to detail and deep respect for the stories of the past ensure that each exhibit is both engaging and informative, fostering a deeper understanding of our community’s heritage.
Congratulations Carmen! You make us proud!

04/19/2026

We are proud to announce Justice John D. Couriel has been elected to be next Chief Justice of Florida’s Supreme Court.
Justice Couriel is a second generation Pedro Pan that continues our legacy. Justice Couriel’s father is OPPG’s Past President John L. Couriel.
Congratulations to Justice Couriel and his family!

The Florida Supreme Court unanimously elected John D. Couriel as Florida’s next chief justice. He will begin his two-year term July 1. Justice Couriel was appointed to the court in 2020 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. He will succeed Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz, who will remain on the court after complet...

04/17/2026

Operation Pedro Pan Obituary: We have received the sad news of the passing of our Pedro Pan brother Jesus Tomas de Armas. Jesus arrived as a Pedro Pan along with 7 of his siblings on April 16, 1962.
In the summer of 1966 Jesus married his beloved wife Maria Elena Muntaner (deceased) and raised a wonderful family of 7 children (4 girls and 3 boys). Both Maria Elena and Jesus loved having a big family and their home was always full! At the time of his death the family had grown to 17 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the De Armas family at this time. May Jesus rest in peace now and eternal light shine on him!
Board of Directors
Operation Pedro Pan Group, Inc.

03/24/2026

Proud of our Pedro Pan brother and OPPG Trustee Maximo Alvarez who received VOC's Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom on March 17, 2026 at the historic Freedom Tower. The medal recognizes Max's lifelong fight against communism in his native Cuba and his steadfast support of freedom in his adopted home of America.
Accepting the Truman-Regan Medal of Freedom, he said:
"Events like this really make me understand how blessed we are in this great country of ours, the most generous country in the world. The reason I am a member of this great organization is not just to mourn those people who have lost their lives by the hands of communist governments, but it is to remind the entire world we must not forget. The next generation needs to understand what they had suffered."
"I am Cuban. I love Cuba. I want Cuba to be free. But I love America and I am an American."

03/19/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/19/2026

01/09/2026

2026-01-07 Three Kings Toy Distribution at Centro Hispano Católico Msgr. Bryan O. Walsh