MIAMI -- The vice chairman of a bank that was bombed in Miami's 'Little Havana' Cuban community had been the target of numerous death threats by anti-Castro terrorists, police said, but the executive refused comment Saturday.
The FBI was investigating the blast Friday in which two officers were injured, either seriously. No civilians were injured.
Local news media were called by a man with a thick Spanish accent who said that Omega 7, a militant anti-Castro exile group, was responsible for the blast that rocked the area at about 11 p.m. EDT Friday.
The blast caused extensive damage to the Continental National Bank building and blew windows out of neighboring structures.
'We are actively investigating the case,' said FBI spokesman Thomas Diskin, who refused to give details.
No official motive was given for the bombing, but bank executive Bernardo Benes has been the target of numerous death threats by anti-Castro terrorists, according to police.
Benes, the bank's vice chairman, took an active role in intiating talks with Cuban President Fidel Castro in 1978, which led to the release of more than 3,000 political prisoners and high-level diplomatic discussions between Cuban and U.S. officials.
Since the prison exchange Benes has been given protection at his Miami Beach residence.
Benes said Saturday that he and three other bank officals had met with federal agents investigating Friday night's blast.
'I prefer not to say anything further,' he said.
Andres Nazario Sargen, head of Alpha-66, an anti-Castro organization, said his group did not support such violent tactics, although he criticized Benes' role in opening the Cuban dialogue.
'Mr. Benes has hurt the Cuban sensibilities. I'm not saying they should set off bombs over that,' he said.
It was the third bomb attempt in three months against members of the Cuban-American community who had participated in the dialogue effort.
Officials said the explosive device was a two-foot cylinder that had been placed under a tree at the west side of the bank building.
Police spokesman Juan Santos said the force of the blast was aimed at the building. 'Somebody just dropped it there,' Santos said.
