Miami International Airport got a bout of bad press Friday -- and it didn't even do anything wrong.
Citing ''diplomatic sources,'' the Spanish-language news service EFE reported Friday that Colombia's foreign minister had penned a letter to the U.S. government complaining she had been rudely treated at MIA on May 1.
Wrong, said an airport official, who learned of the complaint from The Herald. The official promptly called the Colombian consulate to investigate.
Turns out, the alleged diplomatic dust-up happened at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The EFE report surfaced at an inopportune time.
Dignitaries are currently streaming in for the Organization of American States general assembly in South Florida.
Officials at MIA are working hard to welcome diplomats quickly and courteously.
Remember -- in the past some foreign dignitaries, including the heir to the Spanish throne, have complained about harsh security measures and rude treatment at MIA.
''Miami International Airport has worked closely with all consulates, embassies and state departments to ensure all foreign dignitaries receive impeccable treatment,'' said Irving Fourcand, MIA's director of protocol.
After the Colombian consulate complained, EFE quickly filed a corrected version of the story.
According to EFE's story, Colombian Foreign Minister Carolina Barco was handled roughly by customs and immigrations agents -- who ignored her when she produced her diplomatic passport -- and conducted a search of her personal possessions that she deemed excessive.
It was too late Friday to confirm that complaint, said Jim Reynolds, a spokesman for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
As for U.S. Customs & Border Protection?
''We are unaware of any complaints,'' said spokesman Zachary Mann.
''We work with the State Department and individual airports to try and expedite diplomats when we're aware of their arrival.''
