Hollywood Returns to Mérida for Refugee Drama 'Pedro Pan'

Mérida transformed into 1960s Havana as cameras rolled on “Pedro Pan,” a historical thriller about one of the largest child rescue operations in modern history.

The production brought heavyweight Latino actors Andy García, Paz Vega, and Néstor Carbonell to the Yucatecan capital, disrupting normal life in Centro as curious residents stopped to watch the action. Calle 60 between 39 and 41 closed for multiple days, with partial street closures running from 2 p.m. to midnight Wednesday.

A crew of roughly 100 people plus extras descended on the historic district with expensive cameras, lighting rigs, and audio equipment. Classic cars from the era lined the cobblestones, and local businesses got a temporary makeover to match the period setting. Filming focused on a mansion at number 371 on Calle 60, where pedestrians gathered behind barriers to snap photos and videos.

“Andy García, I love you!” one woman shouted from the street. Someone from the production promised to pass along the message, sending her away thrilled with footage on her phone.

Director Richie Adams is telling the story of Operation Pedro Pan, the clandestine effort that sent more than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children to the United States between 1960 and 1962. Cuban parents, fearing communist indoctrination under Fidel Castro’s new regime, made the agonizing choice to send their kids to America alone.

The film follows three unlikely heroes who orchestrated the rescue: a Cuban socialite, an English schoolteacher, and an Irish Catholic priest in Miami. Together, they helped thousands of children escape while dodging Castro’s secret police.

García, the Oscar-nominated actor known for “The Godfather Part III” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” plays a key role alongside Vega, who made her mark in films like “Spanglish.” Carbonell recently won his first Emmy for his guest role in “Shōgun” and stars in Apple’s “The Morning Show.”

The cast also includes Allen Leech from “Downton Abbey” and Danny Pino of “Mayans M.C.”

Mérida’s colonial architecture makes it a natural stand-in for old Havana. The city’s historic center features similar Spanish colonial buildings, wide plazas, and tree-lined streets that can easily pass for Cuba’s capital.

State authorities coordinated the disruptions through Sefotur, the tourism promotion agency, working with the Public Security Secretariat to manage traffic. The street closures ran partial and intermittent, with officials recommending alternate routes to avoid delays. While vehicular traffic continued during indoor shots, full closures kicked in for exterior scenes.

Filming began on Nov. 6 and will continue through mid-December across multiple locations in Yucatán, including along Paseo de Montejo and other spots in the historic center.

The actual Operation Pedro Pan remains one of the most remarkable episodes of the Cold War. Between December 1960 and October 1962, Cuban children as young as six boarded planes to Miami, many carrying little more than a suitcase. About half had no family waiting for them and were placed with Catholic charities, foster families, or orphanages across 35 states.

The exodus began after Father Bryan Walsh, director of Miami’s Catholic Welfare Bureau, heard about Cuban parents desperate to get their children out. Working with the U.S. State Department, Walsh arranged visa waivers that let children enter the country without the usual paperwork. The program stayed secret for most of its existence, with the U.S. press cooperating to keep it quiet.

Many children spent years separated from their parents. Commercial flights between Cuba and the U.S. stopped after the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962. When Freedom Flights resumed in 1965, reuniting parents with their children became a priority, but some families remained apart for years longer.

Carlos José Álvarez, whose parents were part of the exodus, co-wrote the script. “Pedro Pan tells a story of courage, sacrifice, and hope that resonates far beyond Cuba and America,” he said. “It’s a universal story about family and freedom.”

Adams added that working with Cuban actors was essential to honoring the community’s experiences. “We aim to bring depth and truth to these roles,” he said.

Yucatán has increasingly attracted film productions in recent years. Netflix shot the romantic comedy “Don’t Blame Karma!” entirely in Mérida, and Hacienda Temozón starred alongside Channing Tatum in the thriller “Blink Twice.”

The Pedro Pan production sought 200 local extras through Vanguardia Modelos & Talentos, a casting agency that praised Yucatán’s variety of locations beyond the city — from beaches to cenotes. The six-week shoot brings international attention to Mérida’s versatility as a filming location and its ability to double for other cities and time periods.

“Pedro Pan” is produced by Steve Shapiro, Álvarez, and Ken and Liz Whitney under Adams’ newly formed At Speed Pictures. David Frankel, who directed “The Devil Wears Prada,” serves as executive producer.

Fast Facts: Operation Pedro Pan

More than 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban children came to the U.S. from 1960-1962
Ages ranged from 6 to 18 years old
About 6,500 children had no family in America and entered foster care
The exodus ended when the Cuban Missile Crisis stopped flights between the countries
It remains the largest child refugee exodus in the Western Hemisphere
Many children waited years to reunite with their parents