The Senator from Florida, Rick Scott, has intensified his efforts to impose stricter sanctions on the Cuban government, including new restrictions on flights to the island.
“We should not be traveling to Cuba. Those who want to go to Cuba, let them go [to live] in Cuba”, asserted Scott in an interview with CBS News Miami.
Scott argued that the money spent by Cuban Americans on the island strengthens the regime, generates financial benefits for the Cuban military, and reinforces government repression.
"When people travel to Cuba, government affiliates, mainly the military, benefit from it," he declared.
"The funds are used to suppress those who oppose the government," he added.
"Travel finances repression in Cuba", he asserted, though he is aware of the potential impact on Cuban Americans who frequently travel to visit their relatives.
Will travel restrictions be reinstated?
Historically, republican administrations have imposed stricter restrictions on travel to Cuba.
During Donald Trump's administration, in 2019 and 2020, the United States banned flights to eight Cuban cities outside of Havana.
Scott indicated that he would support the restoration of those measures and even the implementation of stricter restrictions.
Some Cuban Americans recognize the impact this policy would have on their lives, but they understand the logic behind the proposal.
"It is true that it will affect us because we have family there," Joelkis Estrada stated to the aforementioned media outlet, who was traveling to Havana with her husband to visit her critically ill father-in-law.
"But at the same time, I understand that the United States needs to pressure the Cuban government," he added.
"It wouldn't be the best for many people," Orestes Pedraza stated in comments to the mentioned outlet, whose wife lives in Cuba.
"I don't want anything bad to happen to our families in Cuba," he added.
Scott confirmed that he is actively working to ensure that these restrictions are approved and expects them to come into effect before the end of the year.
However, some Cuban-Americans fear that new restrictions will only make life even more difficult for their loved ones on the island.
Rick Scott's push for increased sanctions on Cuba
It is not the first time in recent weeks that the Republican senator from Florida, Rick Scott has urged President Donald Trump's administration to strengthen sanctions against the Cuban regime.
In an interview with journalist Mario J. Pentón for Martí Noticias, at the end of January, Scott stated that “Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America”, and emphasized that he is working in Washington to promote democratic change on the island.
"It is important to reinstate sanctions against the regime and against all the thugs in Cuba. We should not grant visas to the United States to those who have fought against freedom and democracy, and we need to cut off their access to funding," the legislator stated on that occasion.
Scott believes that "the regime is a threat to the national security of the United States," and he emphasized the need to keep Cuba on the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.
Legislation against the Cuban government
Scott recently presented the Democracy Act, a proposal aimed at imposing asset freezes and visa bans on key sectors of the Cuban government, particularly the military.
The senator frames this initiative as part of a broader strategy to weaken authoritarian regimes in Latin America.
"All the problems in Latin America begin with the Cuban regime," he stated.
"If we get rid of the Castro regime, it helps us get rid of [Nicolás] Maduro in Venezuela and [Daniel] Ortega in Nicaragua," he added.
Frequently Asked Questions about Flight Restrictions to Cuba and Sanctions on the Cuban Regime
Why is Rick Scott proposing to restrict flights to Cuba from the U.S.?
Rick Scott argues that flight restrictions to Cuba are necessary because travel to the island strengthens the Cuban regime. According to Scott, the money spent by Cuban-Americans in Cuba benefits the Cuban military and bolsters government repression. Furthermore, the senator is focused on pressuring the Cuban government to promote democratic change.
How will the travel restrictions affect Cuban Americans?
The travel restrictions proposed by Rick Scott would impact Cuban Americans who frequently travel to visit their relatives. Although some understand the reasoning behind the proposal, they acknowledge that it will make family visits and assistance to their loved ones in Cuba more difficult. Nevertheless, Scott emphasizes that these measures are necessary to increase pressure on the Cuban regime.
What is the Democracy Law proposed by Rick Scott?
The Democracy Law is a legislative proposal put forward by Rick Scott that aims to impose asset freezes and visa bans on key sectors of the Cuban government, particularly on the military. The law is part of a broader strategy to weaken authoritarian regimes in Latin America and promote democratic change in Cuba.
What is Rick Scott's stance on the Cuban regime in general?
Rick Scott has a critical and harsh stance towards the Cuban regime. He believes that Cuba is the root of instability in Latin America and a threat to the national security of the United States. Scott advocates for more severe sanctions and for Cuba to remain on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, as well as supporting Cuban dissidents in their fight for freedom.
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