U.S. Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart strongly criticized the policies of rapprochement toward the Cuban government in a recent tweet, promising a shift in the stance of the United States.
His message comes in response to a report from ADN Cuba regarding the death of Inoel Rodríguez Rodríguez, a young inmate in Cienfuegos, who, according to his family's claims, died in the Ariza prison after allegedly being beaten at the order of the prison authorities.
"The report from Cuba regarding this young man who was tortured and murdered simply for saying 'Homeland and Life' is horrifying. His torturers must be held accountable, and strong sanctions should be reimposed against the regime that abuses, imprisons, and seeks to destroy those who dare to raise their voice against it," said the Cuban-American congressman on X.
Emphasizing the need for a tougher foreign policy toward the island, Díaz-Balart criticized President Joe Biden's administration for its policies aimed at appeasing the totalitarian regime that has ruled the island for over 60 years.
“The days of appeasement that emboldened our adversaries during the Biden-Harris Administration are numbered. We will soon enter a new phase that will bring an end to this Administration's policy of concessions,” warned the congressman.
The case of Inoel was reported by his mother, Yanet Rodríguez, who recounted the events leading up to his death in ADN Cuba. According to her testimony, the 27-year-old was beaten by at least seven guards following an altercation in prison.
Despite the family's attempts to see him after the beating, they were unable to access him, and they were later informed that Rodríguez had died in custody. The official version stated that he had committed suicide, but the family questions this explanation due to the condition in which he was last seen and the history of reported violence in the prison.
The case raised concern and denunciations from activists and human rights organizations, who pointed to a pattern of violence in the Ariza prison, where other inmate deaths have been recently documented.
The article from ADN Cuba stated that the beatings in the Ariza prison are frequently carried out by a group of guards known among the prisoners as "The Death Squad," supposedly led by Major Maykel Medina Terry.
Díaz-Balart, one of the most persistent critics of the Biden administration regarding its policy towards Cuba, stated that the period of concessions and "appeasement" towards the Cuban regime "is numbered" and anticipated a new phase in the relationship between the two countries.
For the congressman, putting an end to the rapprochement policies means protecting those who speak out in Cuba and demanding accountability for those responsible for abuses.
This statement is significant in a context where Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio has been mentioned as a possible candidate for Secretary of State in a Republican administration.
Rubio has advocated for a policy of pressure and sanctions against the Cuban government, a stance that aligns with Díaz-Balart's assertions and could shape the future relationship between the U.S. and Cuba regarding human rights and justice issues.
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