Florida Legislators Demand New Sanctions Package Against Cuba

Florida legislators are urging colleagues support the passage of the Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus (DEMOCRACIA) Act.

The DEMOCRACIA Act, originally introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), would levy sanctions on nefarious Cuban actors and provide access to uncensored internet on the island.

The legislation was filed in 2021 and subsequently reintroduced in February 2023. 

Recent protests and government crackdown on political dissenters have reignited a push for passing the DEMOCRACIA Act. 

Over the weekend, thousands of Cubans publicly expressed their disdain for the present communist regime’s repression of fundamental freedoms and the island’s dire economic situation. 

The protests concentrated in Santiago, Cuba, but were also dispersed across the nation. 

In response, the Cuban government froze cell phone service to stymie future protests and curtail ongoing ones. Daily blackouts and food shortages have plagued the nation for years while political dissenters are jailed and abused. 

Senator Scott called for fellow legislators to assist in passing his DEMOCRACIA Act. 

Doing so would “send a clear message that the U.S. will lead the freedom-loving nations of the world in the defense of human rights in Cuba and Latin America,” said Scott.

Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and María Elvira Salazar(R-FL) introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Representative Diaz-Balart directly called on the White House to tighten sanctions and free all political prisoners. 

Yesterday, US State Department Spokesperson Vedant Patel claimed President Joe Biden supports the Cuban protestors. 

The Biden administration stands “with the Cuban people and continue(s) to support their demands of human rights, freedom, prosperity, and a future for greater dignity,” said Patel. 

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the ongoing US embargo for the crisis in his country and criticized US statements as “interventionist.”