Zaragoza deepens institutional relations with Miami

In the final leg of the Zaragoza delegation’s trip to the United States, Natalia Chueca has returned the visit made on March 29, 2024 by her Miami counterpart Francis Xavier Suárez, then accompanied by his wife Gloria Fonts, born in Zaragoza. In this way, the mayor closes her round of contacts with leaders and personalities from the technological, economic, educational and political fields that have marked the Zaragoza delegation’s expedition to San Francisco and Miami.

At the meeting, Francis Suárez presented Mayor Chueca with the keys to the city of Miami, a symbol of the excellent relations between the two cities and the values ​​they share.

At the reception in Zaragoza last year, the two mayors discussed the two cities’ growing relationship with each other in terms of tourism, as well as the political situation in Spain and the United States. The first lady was born in the Aragonese capital, baptized in the Basilica of El Pilar, and her father studied medicine at the University of Zaragoza before settling in Miami with his entire family.

In 2019, both cities signed an agreement to strengthen ties of friendship in areas such as culture, sports, and business . Mayor Suárez expressed interest in importing Zaragoza’s tram technology, highlighting its wireless operation and low cost compared to other transportation systems.

The host of this event is a lawyer of Cuban origin, the son of former mayor Xavier Suárez. He has held this position since November 2017 and, prior to taking office, was municipal commissioner for District 4 (2009-2017). As mayor, he has promoted urban mobility initiatives and the fight against climate change. Fortune magazine included him on a list of the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” in 2021, and the following year, he was elected national president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.