The Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez issued a strong warning to those who continue to travel to or send remittances to Cuba, a country that sponsors international terrorism.
Through a message on the social media platform X, Giménez asserted, "Those who are traveling and sending remittances to the murderous regime in Cuba are doing so at their own risk. Don't complain later. You've been warned."
Giménez, who has been a consistent critic of the Cuban regime, introduced a legislative initiative to suspend both travel and remittances from the United States to the Island.
Although he acknowledged that it is a "difficult" measure, he believes it is essential to weaken the Cuban government and move forward towards the liberation of the Cuban people.
In a recent statement to Univision, the Republican lawmaker explained that the revenue from flights and remittances boosts the Castro regime, which in his view perpetuates the oppression of the population.
Every flight and every remittance provides more resources to the regime, he stated.
Despite the repercussions for ordinary citizens, he emphasized that the measures are necessary to end the dictatorship: "We have to eliminate the dictatorship. We are targeting the dictatorship, not the Cuban people," he stated.
The proposal, formalized on April 2 through a letter addressed to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, argues that Cuba, being on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, poses a threat to the national security of the United States.
However, their initiative has generated strong criticism among the Cuban-American community, especially in South Florida, where remittances and family visits are common practices.
Residents in Cuba and their relatives in the United States warned that the measure would only increase the difficulties for Cuban families, without directly affecting the government.
"They will never pressure the regime because it has many ways to survive. They are only hardening our families," expressed a Cuban resident in South Florida.
The proposal could also have a negative economic impact on local businesses, such as travel agencies and companies that depend on connectivity with Cuba.
Critics of the initiative warn that extreme isolation, as a strategy to weaken the Cuban regime, has failed in the past and has only increased the suffering of the population without yielding concrete results.
Even some influential figures, such as Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, have expressed reservations about the effectiveness of these measures.
Giménez's proposal rekindles a deep and contentious debate within the Cuban diaspora about how to confront the regime without making the Cuban people, who continue to live under the yoke of the communist government, pay the price.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carlos Giménez's Proposal to Suspend Travel and Remittances to Cuba
Why does Carlos Giménez propose suspending travel and remittances to Cuba?
Carlos Giménez proposes suspending trips and remittances to Cuba because he believes that these revenues strengthen the Cuban regime and perpetuate the oppression of the Cuban people. According to Giménez, each flight and remittance are sources of income for the regime, and their elimination is necessary to weaken it and move towards the liberation of Cuba.
What are the criticisms of Carlos Giménez's proposal regarding flights and remittances to Cuba?
The criticism of Carlos Giménez's proposal focuses on the fact that it will primarily affect Cuban families and not the regime. Critics argue that extreme isolation has failed in the past and only increases the suffering of the population without concrete results. Furthermore, it could negatively impact local businesses in the United States that rely on connections with Cuba.
How has the Cuban-American community reacted to Giménez's proposal?
The Cuban-American community, especially in South Florida, has reacted with strong criticism to Giménez's proposal. They consider that the measure is an attack on family ties and that Cuban families in the United States would be directly affected by not being able to send money or visit their loved ones on the island.
What impact could the suspension of travel and remittances have on the Cuban regime?
The impact on the Cuban regime could be limited, as some critics argue that the regime has various ways to survive despite the sanctions. Although the proposal aims to weaken the Cuban government, there is skepticism regarding its effectiveness, given that the regime has shown an ability to adapt to situations of economic isolation in the past.
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