BY ERNIE MAILHOT
MIAMI - In the early morning hours of August 1 a firebomb was thrown into the office of Marazul Charters in the southwest section of the city causing $5,000 worth of damage. Marazul, a travel agency that focuses on travel to Cuba, has been in existence for 17 years and has offices here and in New Jersey. Over the years it has been the victim of threats and attacks by rightists who oppose travel or any kind of dialogue with the Cuban government.

Armando García, vice president of operations for Marazul, said that while the agency has been a target because it facilitates travel to Cuba the recent firebombing was most likely aimed at Francisco Aruca, Marazul's owner. Aruca is also the host of "Yesterday in Miami," a daily program on the Spanish-language station Union Radio. He has used the show to oppose the U.S. economic war on Cuba and call for dialogue with Havana.

"The [firebombing] was more directed against freedom of expression," said García. "In recent days Aruca has dealt in his program with the problem of intolerance in Miami." Among the recent actions Aruca discussed and opposed on his radio show was a violent protest in April by right- wing Cubans outside a concert by jazz pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba and the tossing of a molotov cocktail in July through the window of the restaurant Centro Vasco in Little Havana where an appearance of the Cuban singer Rosita Fornes was to be held. Both performers were vilified by right-wingers here because they refuse to attack the Cuban revolution.

Pointing to opposition to these rightist assaults, including among Cubans, García said many clients and friends called in and stopped by Marazul's offices to offer solidarity and show they were not intimidated.  
 
 
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