Donald Trump

Man Climbs Crane Near FIU Campus Ahead of Speech From President Trump

62-year-old activist Diego Tintorero taken into custody after climbing crane

What to Know

  • Officials have not given additional details on the case or whether they have been in contact with the man.

A man created quite the scene after he climbed on top of a crane at a construction site near the campus of Florida International University Monday, hours before President Donald Trump arrived there to give a speech.

Chopper footage showed the man, later identified as 62-year-old Diego Tintorero, with an American flag and a banner near Southwest 8th Street and 109th Avenue.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and a police special response team responded to the scene. After spending at least a couple hours on the crane, the man came down and was seen being placed into custody.

While he was on the crane, the man reportedly called a local radio station to advocate for Cuban expatriate Eduardo Arocena, who was sentenced to life in prison in the 1980s for his involvement in anti-Castro attacks.

The banner read "Mr. Presidente, please" and "Have mercy for E. Arocena."

Tintorero was facing charges including burglary, trespassing, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Attorney information wasn't available.

Tintorero has been arrested in the past for climbing cranes to make political statements.

Later in the day, Trump affirmed his administration’s support of Juan Guaido as the president of Venezuela during Monday afternoon’s event.

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