Havana, Cuba- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has announced his plans to visit the United States for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Meeting in New York.
President Canel has been widely accused of human rights violations during his leadership of the country.
Among these are unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings, by the government; torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of political dissidents, detainees, and prisoners by security forces.
Florida conservatives have harshly criticized Canel’s planned visit as a slap to the face of those who have suffered at the hands of the Cuban government, their relatives, and all who cherish freedom and liberty.
“It’s insulting that Cuba’s dictator will be allowed on U.S. soil to attend the UN’s General Assembly,” claimed Senator Marco Rubio.
It’s insulting that Cuba’s dictator will be allowed on U.S. soil to attend the UN’s General Assembly.@StateDept designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism & has sanctioned the heads of military agencies for their crimes. The UN shouldn’t host this human rights abuser. https://t.co/xA1HEgJbBR
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) August 23, 2023
Representative Maria-Elvira Salazar also depicted Canel’s visit as worrying. “It’s lamentable that (Canel) walks in lands of freedom while he subjugates the Cuban people,” expressed representative Salazar.
En la ONU, el dictador Díaz-Canel le mentirá al mundo libre, esconderá los crímenes del régimen y culpará a otros del desastre cubano, como hicieron los Castro y el Che Guevara.
Es lamentable que camine por tierras de libertad quien sigue aplastando con su bota al pueblo cubano.
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) August 23, 2023
While President Joe Biden’s administration maintains a wide range of sanctions on Cuba and certain officials, Canel’s ability to enter the US is unrestricted. Canel’s eligibility for travel into the US has been referenced by some as appeasing the Cuban dictator’s violations of international law and Human Rights.
Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) issued a statement where he blasted the Biden administration for their active role in permitting the Cuban dictator to visit the US.
“I am appalled by the Biden Administration’s appeasement of dangerous adversaries and rewarding human rights abusers, this time by granting the special privilege of U.S. entry to Cuba’s Díaz-Canel,” stated congressman Diaz-Balart.
Last July marked the 2 year anniversary of the Cuban protests against the regime in Cuba.
Florida representatives held a press conference to commemorate the event where they pledged to continue applying pressure against the Cuban government and other similar states in the region.
