The Florida Democratic Party strongly condemns US President Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST) list in exchange for the release of political prisoners arrested during the 2021 protests, saying it will “immediately reverse course.” I asked.
Florida Democratic Party Leader Nikki Fried said in a statement Tuesday that while the return of political prisoners from communist Cuba is worth celebrating, the regime’s treatment of its citizens remains one of the most serious human rights violations of the last century. He said that. .
“While the return of political prisoners from the hands of communist Cuba is a cause for celebration, the regime’s treatment of the Cuban people remains one of the worst human rights violations of the last century.”
Fried expressed skepticism about the negotiated exchange, saying, “It would be naive to think that this negotiated exchange would signal a change in the treatment of the Cuban people.”
The Biden administration announced Tuesday its decision to remove Cuba from the SST list, a designation that was reinstated in the final days of the Trump administration’s first term. The administration claimed it has been in contact with the incoming Republican administration regarding the change.
Cuban diplomats have actively lobbied for Cuba to be removed from the list during President Biden’s term. Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the decision, but stressed that the island’s economic “blockade” remained in place.
Fried called on the Biden administration to reverse its decision, saying, “We condemn in the strongest terms the removal of Cuba from this list and the possible lifting of economic sanctions, and we urge the Biden administration to immediately reverse course.” I ask you to do so.”
The decision also faced criticism from Republicans, with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) calling it “unacceptable based on its content” and working with President-elect Trump’s team and fellow senators. He promised to “immediately reverse” the decision.
