At 55 years old, Rolando Alemán León, who hailed from Cruces, Cienfuegos, passed away on Sunday, September 6, doing what he had spent his life doing: working.
He left his home to begin his shift at Miami Airport and tragically never returned, becoming one of the five Cuban victims in the devastating Amazon plane crash that shocked the immigrant community.
What sets Rolando's story apart among the Cuban casualties is what he left behind in Cuba: for years, he was the cherished mailman of Cruces, tirelessly delivering letters and telegrams on foot or by bike, rain or shine, always with a friendly greeting and a smile.
Belkis Castellanos López captured his essence on Facebook: "The mailman everyone knew, who never missed a house, who was part of every neighborhood family in Cruces."
"Rolando was one of those Cubans who leaves an impression wherever he goes: first delivering mail in his town, then cleaning planes so others could fly. Always working, always serving," she added.
The Impact of the Tragedy
In Miami, Rolando had just begun working in January 2026, cleaning aircraft so others could travel, a crucial yet unseen role in the smooth operation of air traffic. Janette Suárez, president of Professional Ocean Service, aptly put it: "When you sit on the plane, you don’t realize the work they do. They have lives. They are people: fathers, grandfathers, uncles."
Vivian Alemán, Rolando's sister, shared with journalist Alexis Boentes from Cruces that Rolando was minutes away from finishing his shift when the accident occurred. "He was 10 minutes from leaving. They were practically ready to leave when it happened," she said, noting that her brother always wore a medal from their late mother, whom he adored. "He had a medal on his chest from his mom, whom he loved, but we haven't been able to find out if it was recovered," she added.
A Life Cut Short
Rolando also left behind a shared dream. His partner, Yameli Mora, was waiting with him to move into a house they had purchased in the Tampa area, a dream forever shattered by the accident. "We have no words to explain such pain," Mora expressed.
Belkis Castellanos also commented on the loss: "Today, his partner still struggles to come to terms with what happened. She still waits, with the deepest sorrow, for the man who went out to earn an honest living and never returned."
She urged that his memory be honored: "Let him be remembered not just for how he died, but for how he lived: as a good son of Cruces, a beloved mailman, a hardworking and kind man."
A neighbor described him as a kind person who helped by driving him to medical appointments, a sentiment reported by Telemundo 51.
On social media, Rolando had left a poignant message that now carries a new weight: "May God's will always lead me to where I need to be."
Details of the Fatal Accident
On Sunday, September 6, a Boeing 767-300 cargo plane operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air veered off the runway while landing in Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The aircraft crossed a perimeter road and collided with a white Ford Econoline van carrying seven employees from Professional Ocean Service Corp., a contractor for aircraft cleaning and maintenance services.
Five workers lost their lives, and two were injured. Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz officially identified the victims: Rolando Alemán León (55), Yoel Rodríguez Naranjo (53), Julio C. Pineda (75), Carlos Acosta Fajardo (53), and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo (47).
The two injured remain hospitalized: Ridoel Averhoff Díaz (32), who is critically injured, and Roosevelt Sebastián Perdomo Torres (36), who is stable.
All the deceased were Cuban nationals working for the same contractor, according to 14yMedio.
The plane’s pilots, Jaime Felipe Silva Molina, 37, and Joseph Carol, 55, survived and have been discharged.
FAQs on the Miami Airport Accident
What caused the Miami Airport accident involving the Amazon plane?
The accident occurred when the Boeing 767-300 cargo plane veered off the runway upon landing, crossing a perimeter road and hitting a parked van carrying employees.
Who were the victims of the Miami Airport crash?
Five Cuban employees of Professional Ocean Service Corp. died in the crash: Rolando Alemán León, Yoel Rodríguez Naranjo, Julio C. Pineda, Carlos Acosta Fajardo, and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo. Two others were injured.