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The Florida Legislature approved and sent to Governor Ron DeSantis the bill HB 905, which tightens state restrictions against the Cuban regime but includes an unprecedented clause.
The text of HB 905 states that "if the federal government modifies the diplomatic status of Cuba, the governor may temporarily suspend the provisions of any law or regulation that restricts interactions with Cuba."
This makes Florida the best-prepared state to respond to a possible regime change in Havana.
The HB 905, known as part of the initiative against foreign influence, prohibits state agencies and entities from signing contracts with the governments of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. However, it now has a slight flexibility for the case of Cuba, in light of potential changes in the future.
These provisions could come into effect on July 1, 2026.
Martí Noticias reported that, in addition to contractual restrictions, the law tightens criminal penalties: it authorizes counties, municipalities, and tax collectors to revoke or deny business licenses to individuals or entities that conduct business with Cuba in violation of federal law.
False statements in sworn documents required by the regulation constitute perjury, a third-degree felony in Florida.
The project was presented on December 23, 2025 by Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers) and approved by the House of Representatives with a vote of 83-17, expanding the restrictions that the state already had regarding pension fund investments, land ownership, and academic partnerships.
The law explicitly expresses the support of the state of Florida for "a free and independent Cuba", a message of great symbolic value for the Cuban-American community in the southern part of the state.
This measure is part of the "Cuba Libre agenda" promoted by Florida Republicans, who have also made progress at the federal level.
In November 2025, Ashley Moody and Rick Scott led the reintroduction of the DEMOCRACY Act, which aims to freeze the assets of Cuban Communist Party officials and ensure internet access on the island.
On that occasion, Moody was unequivocal: "The Cuban communist regime continues to profit from the oppression of its people. In Florida, we are acutely aware of the cost of that tyranny. With this project, we are cutting off the flow of corrupt money and ensuring that not a single American dollar supports the dictatorship."
DeSantis, who in recent months has signed several impactful laws in Florida, has also approved legislation that designates groups as terrorist organizations, consolidating a security agenda that includes maximum pressure on Havana.
The governor was direct about his vision for Cuba on March 25th at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
"It wouldn't take much. If you simply had a somewhat legitimate government that wasn't 100% corrupt and respected people's rights and the rule of law, I believe things could be done much better than that."
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