Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) responded to President Trump’s announcement of talks between the U.S. and Cuba, as the island nation asks for global assistance amid a five-month oil embargo.
“Mr. President, Republicans know you are the only person who will be able to free Cuba after 67 years of oppression, and we Republicans in South Florida are supporting you and waiting for you to take the necessary action,” Rep. Elvira Salazar wrote in response to President Trump’s Truth Social post in which he argues that no Republicans have spoken to him about Cuba.
“There is nothing else to say or discuss. Cubans on the island are waiting. Cubans in Miami are waiting. We are waiting for you to give the order. And it will be done. With Marco Rubio leading the way,” the Congresswoman added.
“No Republican has ever spoken to me about Cuba, which is a failed country and only heading in one direction - down! Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk!!! In the meantime, I’m off to China!” President Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Floridian Support of Cuba's Liberation
Floridian lawmakers have strongly advocated for the liberation of Cuba for decades.
South Florida-born Reps. such as Salazar, Mario Diaz Balart (R), and Cuban-born Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R) are just some of the staunch supporters of regime change within the Caribbean nation.
Gov. DeSantis Signs FIRE Act in Effort to Weaken "Foreign Influence"
Most recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement (FIRE) Act into law. The bill will "combat pernicious foreign influence" in Florida by limiting foreign influence from “countries of concern.”
The legislation will add penalties for businesses and prohibit surrogacy contracts with Chinese nationals.
Additionally, the law prohibits the state of Florida from providing or receiving money from a terrorist organization while establishing a state designation for domestic and foreign terrorist groups, according to CBS News.
The state of Florida currently lists China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria as foreign "countries of concern."
"It is time for the Cuban communist dictatorship to be out to pasture once and for all," Gov. DeSantis said during the signing ceremony at the Bay of Pigs Museum & Library in Miami, Florida.
