It’s unusual for a political party to openly criticize the president from their own side, but that’s exactly what happened on Tuesday. The Florida Democratic Party (FDP) spoke out strongly against President Joe Biden’s decision to remove Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. This move has sparked a lot of debate, especially in Florida, where many Cuban-Americans have a deep connection to the issue.
The Biden Administration announced its intention to Congress, saying it plans to remove Cuba from the list and relax some of the economic sanctions. This decision is part of a deal, facilitated by the Catholic Church, to secure the release of political prisoners in Cuba. Reports from the Associated Press say the deal involves freeing 553 prisoners, based on a letter Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel sent to Pope Francis. However, Cuba hasn’t confirmed exact numbers or a timeline. Officials in the U.S. expect the prisoners to be released by the end of Biden’s presidency, which ends on January 20.
In a statement, Nikki Fried, chair of the FDP, expressed her disappointment. She said:
“I am very disappointed with the Biden Administration’s decision to take Cuba off the list of state sponsors of terrorism. While it’s good news that political prisoners might be released, the Cuban government’s treatment of its people is still terrible. The Cuban regime has one of the worst records for human rights violations in recent history. It’s wrong to believe this deal will change how they treat their own people.
Generations of Cuban-Americans in Florida have shared painful stories about how cruel the Castro regime was and how dangerous it was for them to escape to America. Right now, the country is still run by a handpicked successor of Raul Castro, and nothing has truly changed. We strongly oppose this decision to remove Cuba from the list, as well as any steps to lift economic sanctions. We urge President Biden to reverse this decision immediately.”
Cuba is currently one of only four countries on the U.S. list of State Sponsors of Terrorism. The other countries are North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Cuba was first removed from the list during President Obama’s time in office but was added back by President Trump in January 2021. Trump’s administration pointed to Cuba’s support for Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and other actions as reasons for the designation.
This decision has created tension because many Cuban-Americans, especially in Florida, are strongly opposed to lifting sanctions or easing pressure on the Cuban government. Former President Trump, who is expected to run again, has been clear in his stance against the Cuban regime. He, along with Florida Senator Marco Rubio, has promised to keep tough sanctions on Cuba. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has often spoken out against the communist government and supports keeping Cuba on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
If Biden’s decision remains in place, it’s very likely that Trump or another Republican president will reverse it quickly. This issue remains highly sensitive, especially for Cuban-Americans who continue to hope for a freer and more democratic Cuba. Many believe this move sends the wrong message to a government they feel has not earned such a significant concession.
