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The Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez issued a direct and strong warning to the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel following the signing of a presidential memorandum by Donald Trump that prohibits U.S. tourism to Cuba and strengthens the economic embargo against the island.
Dictator appointed by the finger, the measures from the United States are aimed at completely destroying the murderous regime. This is only the tip of the iceberg. What awaits them!, Giménez wrote on his official X account, accompanying the message with the hashtags #PatriaYVida, #FreedomForPoliticalPrisoners, and #SOSCuba.
The message was a direct response to Díaz-Canel's tweet in which the leader described Washington's new measures as "infamous", accusing the U.S. of "profiting from the pain and suffering of the Cuban people."
The new presidential memorandum, signed on June 30, prohibits American tourism to Cuba, reinforces control over transactions with military entities such as GAESA, and demands detailed audits of travel for at least five years. In addition, it maintains the elimination of the "Wet Foot, Dry Foot" policy and requires ongoing monitoring of human rights violations on the island.
According to the White House, the measures are intended to reverse the relaxations implemented by the Biden administration and to pressure the Cuban regime to promote real changes in political, economic, and civil liberties.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, publicly celebrated the decision. “Thanks to President Trump's leadership, the United States is committed to promoting freedom and prosperity in Cuba,” he wrote on X.
“Let there be no doubt: under his leadership, we will hold the Cuban regime accountable and support the Cuban people in their quest for freedom and justice,” Rubio added, in what many interpreted as a reaffirmation of the commitment to the exile community and the opponents of the regime within the island.
Havana responds with a "victim" narrative
In a statement released on July 2 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), the Cuban government categorically rejected the memorandum and described it as "abusive, transgressive, and illegal behavior." The text asserts that Cuba is "a peaceful, stable, and supportive country" and accuses the U.S. of attempting to "seize the country and dictate its fate."
However, that official image of "stability" stands in stark contrast to the harsh reality faced by the Cuban people: prolonged blackouts, widespread shortages, inflation, collapse of basic services, and unprecedented mass migration.
On the other hand, Carlos Giménez's position is not new. In May of this year, the Republican congressman publicly supported a campaign under the slogan "No remittances, no travel, no dialogue", aimed at severing all economic and diplomatic ties with the regime.
“While that money continues to flow, the regime will remain strengthened,” he said. “What the Cuban people need is not oxygen for their oppressor, but solidarity with their struggle for freedom.”
From his seat in Congress, Giménez, who represents District 28 of Florida, where a significant portion of the Cuban exile community resides, has called for a policy of maximum pressure and has reiterated that one cannot negotiate with those who imprison and repress their own people.
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