Florida Democratic Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement demanding the release of Cuban protestors arrested by the Cuban regime and urging the U.S. to take action to free the protestors.
“It's up to us to sound the alarm for the 1,000+ peaceful Cuban activists unjustly imprisoned. We must demand their freedom,” she said. “Oppression at the hands of the Cuban regime is not a thing of the past.”
Alongside her statement, Rep. Wasserman Schultz included a video addressed to Congress where she urges Congress to ensure the freedoms of the July 11, 2021, political prisoners and to take action, as well as to stand in solidarity.
“I've proudly advocated for the release of July 11th political prisoners like Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara and Maykel Osorbo. I've urged Democratic and Republican administrations alike to make their freedom a priority, and I've helped lead bipartisan resolutions to condemn the regime's brutality and express unwavering solidarity with Cuba's democracy movement. But words are not enough. Solidarity must be matched with action,” she stated.
Previously, Wasserman Schultz has advocated and made efforts to free the 2021 Cuban Protestors by working with the Biden administration to free Luis Manuel and Maykel Osorbo amidst reports of poor prison conditions and lack of medical care.
"I’m grateful the Biden Administration granted humanitarian parole to both Luis Manuel and Maykel, but for the Cuban regime, exiling these patriots isn’t enough. Their very existence is a threat,” she said.
Additionally, Wasserman Shultz sided with President Donald Trump in a historic move as he relabeled Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism after former President Joe Biden removed the communist island from the list in January.
She said she opposed removing the island nation and welcomed its reinstatement because of its “terrorist activity.”
“They are part of the 'Axis of Evil' with Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. They need to be labeled as a state’s sponsor of terrorism,” she concluded.
