US Congress approves Law to support democracy in Cuba

The United States Congress approved a law to support democracy in Cuba that includes severe sanctions against the so-called new entrepreneurs with proven links to the Havana regime.

TheConsolidated Additional Appropriations Law 2024, written by Mario Díaz-Balart, denies visas to agents of the Communist regime in Cuba, eliminates funds destined for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with links to Havana and expands funds for the modernization ofRadio Marti.

This legislation allocates $25 million to fund the promotion ofdemocracy in Cuba, which represents an increase of 25% compared to previous years.

In addition, it includes allocating another 25 million dollars for the Transmission Office to Cuba, which includesRadio and TV Martí.

The regulations, among their highlights, also establish "clear instructions on the denial of visas to governments and international organizations involved in the trafficking of Cuban doctors."

Likewise, it contains restrictions to prevent the diversion of funds intended for democracy towards unauthorized purposes, such as entrepreneurship programs related to private Cuban companies that maintain ties with American businessmen and politicians and are controlled by the regime.

This after it was demonstrated that many Cuban MSMEs belong to people close to the top of power on the island.

"The confusing policies of the Biden Administrationthey have been disastrous for global security. In contrast, this bill supports America's closest friends and allies while countering adversaries like China, Russia, and the terrorist states of Cuba and Iran," Díaz-Balart said.

The congressman, who chairs the Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs in the House Appropriations Committee, said the Consolidated Additional Appropriations Act reinforces American values and principles by prohibiting the president from closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, located in eastern Cuba.

The new norm also includes measures against the regimes of Nicaragua and Venezuela.

For Nicaragua, 15 million dollars are allocated to promote democracy and religious freedom, while for Venezuela no less than 50 million dollars are allocated for human rights and civil society. The financing of electoral support for Venezuela is conditional on a determination by the Secretary of State on the existence of free opposition competition in the upcoming elections.

Within the United States, the Law requires addressing the fentanyl crisis, allocating no less than $125 million to such efforts.