New law signed by Ron DeSantis puts Cuba in the crosshairs of science in Florida

The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, recently signed the legislation CS/CS/SB 768, titled Foreign Countries of Concern, a regulation that specifically aims to limit the influence of certain countries deemed hostile, including Cuba, within the scientific and technological landscape of the state.

The law, promoted by Republican lawmakers and now officially adopted, establishes that Florida's public health laboratories cannot use operating or research software for genetic sequencing if it has been created by foreign governments deemed hostile, state-owned companies from those countries, or firms based in them.

The list of "countries of concern" includes China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela (under the regime of Nicolás Maduro), and Cuba, according to the document published on the official page of the Florida Senate.

The legal text also affects state-licensed healthcare facilities and providers, who must ensure that no majority investor has direct or indirect business relationships with any of these countries.

Although some sanctions regarding civil or criminal liability for involuntary non-compliance are being relaxed, the requirement to prohibit any links with foreign entities on the blacklist remains in place if there is direct knowledge of their involvement.

Moreover, the legislation broadens the concept of "indirect interest" and establishes that individuals with less than 5% participation in a licensed company will generally not be considered liable, unless there is a deliberate violation of the minimum requirements established by the state.

In practice, this regulation could exclude from Florida's public health system any genetic technology coming from Cuba, even in critical areas such as biomedical research or treatment development. It also restricts the scope of action for companies with ties, no matter how minimal, to the Cuban scientific or technological sector.

Why does this matter to Cubans?

This law is part of a broader policy of restrictions on entities linked to countries under sanctions or monitoring by the United States, which includes Cuba.

The law was unanimously approved in both chambers: 37-0 in the Senate and 114-0 in the Florida House of Representatives, reflecting a broad political consensus on tightening controls against countries deemed a strategic threat. According to the official text, the measure will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Although many scientific developments on the island are not directly present in the U.S. market, the regulation reinforces technological isolation and could have side effects for Cuban or Cuban-American researchers, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to collaborate with institutions in Florida.

With this legislation, DeSantis reaffirms his hardline stance against regimes he considers authoritarian and strengthens oversight over investments and international trade relations in one of the states with the largest Cuban-American population in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions about the New Florida Law Affecting Cuba