U.S. Sen. Rick Scott Of Florida (File) Florida Senator Rick Scott strongly criticized reports that President Joe Biden is considering reversing Cu
Florida Senator Rick Scott strongly criticized reports that President Joe Biden is considering reversing Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, a label assigned during the Trump administration in January 2021.
Scott expressed his opposition in a statement, emphasizing that removing the designation would ignore Cuba’s history of supporting terrorism and oppressive regimes in the region. He vowed to fight the move and introduced legislation aimed at holding Cuba accountable until significant democratic reforms are implemented.
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“Calls from communist sympathizers in the Democrat Party to remove Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list are not just ignorant but dangerous,” Scott stated. “The Biden administration’s appeasement of the illegitimate Cuban regime has fueled terrorism, destabilized the Western Hemisphere, and jeopardized America’s national security.”
Scott pointed to Cuba’s harboring of terrorists, its ties to Venezuela’s oppressive Maduro regime, and the hosting of a Chinese Communist Party spy station near Florida. He warned that removing Cuba from the terrorism list would aid adversaries like Russia, Iran, and China.
Scott has introduced the Fighting Oppression Until the Reign of Castro Ends (FORCE) Act to prevent normalization of relations with Cuba unless the regime meets stringent conditions for democratic reforms. The act requires compliance with Section 205 of the LIBERTAD Act, including the release of political prisoners, free elections, and press freedom.
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Additionally, Scott is championing the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act, which would impose strict sanctions on Cuba’s defense, security, and intelligence sectors. The legislation includes provisions to:
- Sanction individuals and entities aiding Cuba’s human rights abuses or supporting international terrorism.
- Block assets and deny U.S. entry to senior Cuban officials and their families.
- Use all possible means to provide uncensored internet access to the Cuban people.
The sanctions can only be lifted if Cuba legalizes political parties, establishes a free press, releases political prisoners, and schedules free and fair elections.
Scott has been a vocal critic of the Castro/Díaz-Canel regime and its suppression of Cuban citizens. Since the July 11, 2021, protests, he has called on the Biden administration and international leaders to take action in support of the Cuban people.
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“With President Trump returning to the White House in January, there cannot be any changes to U.S. policy that advance Biden’s failed appeasement,” Scott said. “Removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list would only further jeopardize the national security of the United States and I’ll be fighting like hell to make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Scott’s stance reinforces his commitment to holding Cuba accountable and prioritizing national security, aligning with his broader legislative efforts to protect U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
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