MIAMI — On Friday, the spotlight shone on two adorable baby pigs named Glinda and Elphaba in downtown Miami, as the focus of a unique celebration that spared them from becoming a traditional Christmas Eve feast for Cuban American families.
The mayor of Miami-Dade County, Daniella Levine Cava, officially pardoned the piglets, continuing a lighthearted South Florida tradition reminiscent of the White House’s Thanksgiving turkey pardons. At just four months old, Glinda and Elphaba, named after characters from the musical “Wicked,” are set to enjoy a peaceful life at an animal sanctuary located south of Miami, where they can live up to 15 years.
During the ceremony, the piglets appeared rather indifferent to the gathering crowd and the festivities surrounding them. Instead, they happily munched on slices of apple and orange while curiously nibbling on the plastic grass that lined their pen, which was set up outside Latin Cafe 2000, the restaurant that created this event.
Without the pardons, Glinda and Elphaba would have faced a very different fate, joining the ranks of countless pigs that are traditionally roasted whole in underground pits or special grills for Nochebuena celebrations across Cuba, South Florida, and beyond. These pigs are often transformed into the coveted “lechon asado,” a festive dish served at Christmas gatherings.
Levine Cava humorously acknowledged the irony of the holiday season, stating, “The holidays are definitely the favorite part of the year for me and for so many. It’s a time of gratitude. A time when we reunite with our families and our loved ones. And of course, good food, right? So important — but not a very good time to be a pig in Miami!” as she presented the formal proclamation granting Glinda and Elphaba immunity from becoming holiday meals.
Eric Castellanos, the owner of Latin Cafe 2000, shared that the event originated as a playful idea among staff after they stumbled upon a story about the presidential Thanksgiving pardon. “Because we really don’t eat turkey here in Miami. We eat pork,” Castellanos explained, recounting how the concept quickly evolved into a local tradition.
His children, Rico and Alessandra, had the special honor of choosing names for the two pigs.
Among those who attended the ceremony was Abbi Erkes, a new Miami resident from the Midwest. “I’ve seen a variety of different types of pigs, but these are cute ones,” she observed, noting how her local friend has been teaching her about Cuban and Latin culture as she adapts to life in Miami.
Following the charming event, Glinda and Elphaba were whisked away to their permanent residence, marking the 12th and 13th pigs to receive such a pardon in recent years. The plastic grass in their enclosure remained untouched throughout the festivities.
